George had a good deal to tell, but he did not consume much time with his narrative, for every moment was precious. He knew that the two ranchemen had by this time been made acquainted with the deception that had been practised upon them, and no doubt they were at that very minute on their way to Mr. Gilbert’s rancho. It was necessary that George should be well on his way home before they arrived, both to escape the vengeance they would doubtless visit upon him if they chanced to meet him, and also to warn his cousin. He described the attack on the camp, and told how he had concealed himself in the buffalo wallow and watched the raiders while they were searching the woods. He told of his accidental meeting with Springer, and repeated, as nearly as he could, all the conversation he had had with him, so that Mr. Gilbert might be enabled to judge whether or not his suspicions concerning Uncle John were correct. He also repeated the conversation he had had with the ranchemen who spent the night in his camp, and told what he had done to put them on the wrong scent.
“I didn’t have more than half an hour’s sleep last night,” said George, in conclusion. “I lay awake turning these matters over in my mind, and I have thought about them all day. The decision at which I arrived was, that Ned was not safe here in the settlement, and that I had better take him out on the plains for a few weeks and let this affair of the stolen horse blow over; but if he has been shooting cattle, I think I had better show him the nearest way to the coast and let him go north, where he came from.”
Mr. Gilbert heard him through without interruption, and when the boy ceased speaking he leaned back in his chair, looked up at a picture hanging on the wall over the lounge and rubbed his chin meditatively. Then he arose and walked up and down the room with his hands behind his back and his eyes fastened thoughtfully on the floor.
“I don’t think you could decide upon a better plan,” said he, at length. “Take them both to the coast by the shortest route, put them aboard a steamer and let them go north on a visit. Ned can come back after the matter is forgotten, but when that Yankee friend of his gets home, he had better stay there. We have no use for fellows of his stamp down here. Your uncle can perhaps settle the matter by giving up the stolen horse, paying his owner for the trouble he has had, and also paying Cook for the cattle that were shot. And in regard to yourself, you had better apply for a new guardian at once.”
“I should be only too glad to do so,” replied George, eagerly, “for home isn’t home to me any longer. But there’s one question I want to ask you, Mr. Gilbert: If I should apply for a new guardian, would any of these things I have told you about Uncle John become known—I mean the plans he has laid to get me out of the way, so that the property would fall to Ned?”
“Probably they would. The thing would have to be done by process of law, for it is your father’s will that gives him the property in trust and makes him your guardian.”
“Then I’ll not have a new guardian!” said George.
Mr. Gilbert stopped and looked at the boy in great surprise.
“O, I mean it,” said George, decidedly. “I’ll not disgrace the only brother my father ever had. He may do better after a while.”
“You are the most confiding boy I ever saw,” said Mr. Gilbert.