What an exciting letter she would be able to write to Babs, and how that girl, who had always thirsted for adventure, would envy her.
Suddenly Tom leaped to his feet and listened intently. Virginia followed him as he went with long strides toward the open door.
“Two men are coming up the trail,” he reported, “but they are not the ones we so recently dismissed.”
Virginia sprang forward with a cry of joy. “Oh, it is brother Malcolm,” she exclaimed. When the young man in the lead had dismounted, he stared in uncomprehending amazement at the two girls and the strange lad.
“Virginia! Margaret! What does this mean?” he asked. He sensed at once that something very unusual had happened.
“Rusty and Slim were away,” Virginia explained, “and so we girls had to come, and oh, brother, brother, we have been so frightened, but this brave lad has been our protector.”
When the whole story had been told, Malcolm held out his hand. “You say that you are an outlaw. As you know it is the custom of the desert to ask no questions, but, Tom, you are not an outlaw from our home. From this day on, for as long as you wish to remain, I engage your services. Will you accept?”
“I do and thank you. I sincerely hope that you will find me worthy of the trust.”
“I know we will,” Malcolm declared heartily, “and, to complete your name cow-boy fashion we will call you Trusty Tom.”
An hour after the return of Malcolm and Pat Mahoy, Virginia approached her brother, saying, “Do you think it would be safe now for Margaret and me to return to the ranch? We are both very weary and believe that we could rest better at home.”