But nothing startling developed, and the men were still guiltless of any crime as far as Sammy really knew when Grand Forks was reached and the boys tumbled out glad to stretch their legs after the long journey.
It was only a way station and no other passengers besides themselves got off. At the end of the station was a big buck-board with two stout mustangs attached.
A tall, lean man with a bronzed face came down to the place where they were standing.
"I suppose you are the Fairview boys that Mr. Claxton is lookin' fur," he said with a pleasant smile. "He sent me down to bring you over to the ranch. My name is Hank Thompson an' I'm one of Mr. Claxton's help. I'll jest bring the team down here an' we'll hist yer baggage on an' then we'll set sail for the ranch."
The boys liked Hank Thompson at once, and soon they were all as busy as bees getting their luggage on the back of the conveyance. Then the boys climbed in wherever they could find room and the mustangs started off at a spanking gait.
THE MUSTANGS STARTED OFF AT A SPANKING GAIT.
There was no real road, only a well defined trail leading over what seemed to be an endless prairie. As far as the eye could reach, nothing broke the view to the horizon except a range of hills to the north. The earth was carpeted with heavy, lush grass, and in places there could be seen herds of cattle grazing, whose number seemed to run into the thousands.