And how were they to know that circumstances were about to fling them into a maelstrom of activity, that the next few weeks were to be charged with excitement?
Even as they rode, talking calmly, the events of the past fading almost into insignificance beside the wonder of the morning, a rider approached them. He was coming swiftly, his pony kicking up little spurts of dust.
“Some one’s in a mighty hurry,” Teddy observed.
They reined in, watching the horseman.
“Looks familiar,” Roy remarked. “Say, by golly—”
“It’s Jim Casey from home!” Teddy exclaimed. “Wonder if anything happened?” A frown came to his face.
“Oh, I hope dad’s all right,” Belle breathed. “Do you suppose he’d be sent after us?”
“He’s got something over his shoulder,” said Teddy. “Looks like a pick or a shovel. Hey, Jim! Yo-o-o!”
The rider came closer, and stopped his pony, stiff-legged.
“What-a-ya say!” he yelled. “Heard the news?”