Then suddenly, it seemed, Alex found himself sitting upright, and daylight flooding the room. He had fallen asleep.
The second cot was empty, but a moment after the door opened and the cowman appeared.
“How did you sleep, stranger?” he inquired. “I thought for a spell last night you were trying some funny business.”
Alex laughed. “I slept like a log,” he declared truthfully, ignoring the last remark. “Are you going to keep me tied up here all day?”
“Until after breakfast anyway,” responded his host, proceeding to start a fire in the stove. “Suppose you’ll have some bacon and coffee?”
“Thank you, yes. I’m more than hollow, after that Marathon run you gave me last night.”
As the cowman turned to the cupboard Alex seized the opportunity to examine the leg of the cot about which the lassoo was passed. With disappointment he discovered it to be a stout post driven into the floor.
Despite the discomfort of his position Alex enjoyed the simple breakfast of biscuits and bacon. He was passing his cup for a third filling of the fragrant coffee, when his host abruptly sat the coffee-pot down and listened. “Someone coming,” he remarked. Alex also heard the hoofbeats. They approached rapidly, there was a step at the door, and a tall, well-dressed figure in riding-breeches and leggings appeared. At sight of Alex he halted in surprise.
“Who’s this, Munson?” he demanded.
The cowman led the way outside and closed the door, and low words told Alex that he was explaining the previous night’s occurrences. More, they told him that this well-dressed man was the connecting link between the K. & Z. and the men who were seeking to interfere with the Middle Western in the race for the Yellow Creek Pass.