Luke Larue, of course, did not know the lad, but the keen eyes of the banker lighted up with recognition.
"Master Ned," he said. "I think if this young man were washed and dressed up, you might recognize in him the friend you are looking for."
"Tad!" exclaimed the boy, springing forward, excitedly grasping the hands of the freckle-faced boy.
"Hello, Ned. What you doing here?'
"Looking for you. They're all upset back at the camp. We thought the bear had gotten you."
"No, I got the bear. A two-legged bear nearly got me later on. I'll tell you all about it later. I want to see Mr. Simms now."
"Master Tad, I don't know where you have been, but you certainly look used up. This is the foreman of my ranch, Mr. Luke Larue," said the banker.
With a quiet smile on the face of each, man and boy shook hands.
"Heard about you," greeted Luke. "Heard you was a tenderfoot. Don't look like it."
"Neither do I feel like it. Feel as if I'd been put through an ore mill or something that would grind equally fine. When do you expect the sheep?"