"That will be very kind of you. I know nothing about it, and I'm afraid I'll be rather green when I get there. I have lived on a ranch all my life."
"On a ranch? Fancy now! Really, don't you know, I often used to think I would like to be a cowboy," drawled the dude.
Roy looked at the slim figure, and delicate features of Mr. De Royster, and thought that he would hardly be strong enough for the rough life on the plains. But he was too polite to mention this.
"Yes," went on the well-dressed youth, "if I had not gone into the jewelry business I might now be a 'cow-puncher,'—I believe that is what you call those gentlemen who take charge of wild steers?" and he looked at his companion inquiringly.
"Yes, some folks call 'em that."
"It must be a very nice sort of life. Now this sort of thing is rather tame, don't you know."
"Well, you had it exciting enough a while ago."
"So I did," admitted Mr. De Royster with a smile. "But that doesn't happen every day. I wish I could do you some favor, in return for what you did for me."
"I didn't do much. I wish I could have gotten them in time to have saved your watch and chain. But they stampeded before I could rope them."
"Stampeded?"