His mother and sister, and Walker and Strong saw him depart. It was just a year before that Ted had left, what a big year it had been.
Ted’s thoughts turned to the ranch. He was eager to see Red Mack, Smiles, Graham, Pop, and the Deans. He hoped it would be Red who would meet him—and that he would bring his horse down so that they could go back to the ranch on horseback. Of course, in all likelihood, it would be the Packard that would come down for him, for the distance was long and it would mean a lot of extra trouble for Red or anyone to lead his horse down all the way. The trip to Big Gulch seemed long because of the boy’s eagerness to see his friends. He awakened very early on the second morning when the train was due. When the train finally reached the station, he eagerly looked out to see who was there. But he could see no one until he stepped from the train.
There stood Red and next to him Pop. 104 There were three horses and one of them was his.
Glad greetings were exchanged.
“My, I’m glad you came for me on horseback. I hoped you would, but it seemed too much to expect.”
“Well, we figured you would like it. Glad you do.”
They started off. As best he could, Ted told his story and both of the men listened with different interest. When Ted came to that part where it had practically been settled that his mother and Helen were to come out, a queer look came into Pop’s eyes which neither of them saw. The older man rode behind most of the way after that.
“You should see Wolf, you would not know him,” said Red.
“I guess he would not know me, either,” answered Ted.
“He may be your dog, but I’m kind of attached to him myself,” remarked Red.