"Didn't he come in?" asked the foreman, pausing in the act of sitting down to the table.
"That's what I should like to know? Where is he?"
No one seemed to know.
"Now, he's gone, too," breathed the foreman anxiously. "That's one more mystery on the old Custer trail."
"We—we'll have to go hunt for Tad now. You don't suppose he and
Phil are together, do you?" asked Walter.
"I don't know. I hope they are. But, boy, it's useless to go out looking for them now. All we can do will be to wait until morning, then take up the search again"——
"That's what comes from taking kids out on a man's job," growled Old
Hicks, as he served the mutton.
"Hicks, no one asked you for your opinion," snapped the foreman. "These boys have done men's work ever since they joined. Had it not been for Tad, Boss Simms would have been out of business entirely now. Don't let me hear anybody casting any slurs on these boys. I won't stand for it."
Old Hicks grumbled and hobbled away to his black kettle, while the others ate their supper in silence. But, somehow, the meal was far from satisfying, and one by one they rose from the table, leaving plates half filled, and strolled away to spend the evening as best they could until bedtime. Ned and the foreman remained up, for they were to go out at midnight and take their trick at watching over the herd.
"I've just got an idea," said the foreman, calling Ned to him.