CHAPTER XV
Horsemen in the Storm
Darkness found the four riders with a little over a third of their journey completed. They selected a camp site near a running stream, and after watering and feeding the horses and mules they built a fire for the evening meal.
Silent, of his own accord, took charge of the cooking, which consisted mainly in boiling the coffee, frying bacon, and heating a can of beans. He had a way with him, however, and the food took on a certain flavor that agreed eminently with the boys’ palates.
“Was a cook, once,” Silent explained laconically, when complimented on the success of his meal. “In a cow camp, where the waddies either got good food or the cook had somethin’ comin’ to him. Believe me, you gotta learn to cook in a place like that.”
“You sure sling a wicked fryin’ pan,” Nick muttered, his mouth well filled with bacon sandwich. “Than which I have tasted no better. Snakes, my back’s itchy!”
“Oh, I meant to tell you,” Teddy said casually. “There’s an ants’ nest on the other side of the tree you’re leaning against, Nick.”
“An ants’ nest!” Nick leaped to his feet and shook himself violently. “So that’s it! I thought I felt somethin’ crawlin’ around my lily white skin. Why didn’t you tell me about it to-morrow morning, Teddy?”
Teddy grinned and went on with his eating. After a few violent moments Nick seated himself again, but this time at a distance from the tree.
“Certainly is noisy,” Roy remarked. “Listen!”
“What for?” Nick leaned forward, straining his ears.