"What's the matter?" asked Roy, his heart fluttering.
"Well, your daddy's a little under the weather, and he wants for you to come back to the ranch right away. That's the message I was to give to you. Don't wait to come in with the steers, but start right off. I'll stay here and take your place."
"Is he—was he very bad?" asked Roy, who had left his father, seemingly, in perfect health.
"No, not so very I guess. The doctor was there, and he didn't seem much put out. I reckon Mr. Bradner had a sort of a bad turn, that's all."
"I'll start right away," decided Roy. "If I ride all night I can get there by morning."
"Don't you want one of us to go with you?" asked Billy.
"No. I'm not afraid. I've done it before. Smoke, will you pack me a little grub?"
"Surest thing you know!" exclaimed the cook, as he began to do up some bacon and bread.