Rick and Chot felt a sinking sensation in the region of their hearts as they thought perhaps this might be a message telling them not to come.
CHAPTER V
RUDDY GIVES WARNING
With a quick motion, Mr. Dalton tore open the envelope and rapidly scanned the telegram. By the smile that spread over his face the boys knew it could be nothing serious.
“What is it?” asked Mrs. Dalton. “Who is it from?”
“Uncle Tod,” answered her husband. “He says: ‘Tell Rick not to forget Ruddy!’”
“As if I would,” murmured the dog’s young master.
“Oh, boy!” whispered Chot in his chum’s ear. “I was afraid he was dead or something, and we couldn’t go.”
“So was I,” admitted Rick.
But after this slight delay the start was made again, though “Sartin Sure,” the colored man of all work about the Dalton place, sighed and shook his head dubiously as the auto went down the street.
“What’s the matter, Sartin Sure?” asked Mazie. This odd name had been given the faithful negro helper because of his habit, whenever asked if he could do anything, of answering: “Sartin, sure I kin do it!”