“I been ridin’ most of the night,” he sang out over his shoulder, “so let that grub be early and plenty.”
He found the boys engaged in replacing one of the corral rails. Roy held one end of the new bar in place and Teddy was about to raise the other when he saw the man on foot.
“Nick!” he exclaimed, and dropped the rail. “What in thunder—”
“Left yore dad last night late,” Nick interrupted wearily, “an’ rode like a fool to get here. I got a message for you.”
He reached in his vest pocket and drew forth a soiled paper. Looking at it with a glassy stare for a moment, he passed it over to Roy. Wonderingly, the boy took it, and as Nick flung himself full length upon the grass he opened it and read:
“Roy and Teddy:
“Got in bad jam. There’s been a slide near Whirlpool River, and the cattle are in danger. Need your help. Take two men and come down the river in a canoe, pronto. Follow us. Got to get the cows out of there. Nick is foreman—he stays. Suggest that Bug Eye, if he’s still there, come with you, and Pop. Only hurry up.
“Dad.”
CHAPTER IX
The Water Trail
To Teddy’s excited questions, Nick gave only mumbled replies, and waved his hand protestingly.