“What is it?” he questioned, hastening to her side.
“Riders coming this way, and quite a body of them,” her voice seemed lost in wonder as she answered him.
“Oh, they are Ricker’s cowboys,” she continued, “run and tell Dad and Bud, quick!”
Mason quickly informed Bud and the ranch owner of Josephine’s discovery.
Bud hastily gathered the cowboys around him.
“Now, boys,” he said in clear, concise tones, “Ricker is coming here and I don’t know for what purpose, but if he and his men are looking for trouble we will give it to them quick enough. Don’t none of you men draw until you see me draw first. Is that clear to you?”
His eyes took on a steely glint as he spoke the last words. There was a murmur of assent from the men, but Tex stepped forward with an air of defiance.
“I don’t allow we’re going to stand by and see you get plugged first by Ricker,” he growled sullenly, “we all know Ricker is the quickest man in this part of the country that ever throwed a gun, and Bud, we don’t aim to stand by and give him a chance to throw his gun first.”
Bud listened calmly, the muscles of his face hardening.
“You will do just as I ordered, Tex.”