He lowered his voice and went on: "Jed, I wouldn't say a word that would send the worst man in the world into trouble with the law unless I was absolutely certain. I've never mentioned it even to you—but I think when Kelly was killed the man who did that shooting believed he was getting me."
Jed spat lingeringly.
"VB, I've thought so, too," he said.
They reached the ranch the next afternoon, greeted by a shrilling from the Captain that endured from the time they came in sight until VB was beside him.
"Captain," the boy whispered, rubbing the velvety nose, "making them respect you is worth having a gunman on my trail—it is."
CHAPTER XVII
Great Moments
They were a long way from camp, and night impended.
"We won't go back," Jed decided. "We'll go on over to th' S Bar S an' put up for th' night."