“You look all done in,” observed Lefty who had thrown himself on the ground for a few minutes’ rest.
“Oh, I’m all right,” Connie declared. “It’s been a wonderful drive! I had no idea I owned so many steers. If I get anything like a fair price, I’ll be able to pay my debts and have a tidy sum left.”
“You ought to go back to the ranch and get some sleep tonight,” Lefty advised. “We can hold the herd without you.”
“Perhaps I will after supper,” Connie agreed. “Are the dudes having a good time?”
“Old man Grimes said he enjoyed every minute of it,” Lefty reported, pouring himself another cup of coffee. “He and Mr. Postil took the kid and went back to the ranch a few minutes ago.”
Connie could see Helena and Cecil riding with Forest Blakeman, evidently under the impression that they were helping him keep the herd under control. While she was eating they came up to the chuck wagon, flushed and excited.
“Oh, it’s been wonderful!” declared Helena excitedly. “I’d not have missed it for anything in the world. Cecil and I are staying tonight to help hold the herd.”
“That’s fine,” replied Connie—“we need riders.”
She avoided looking at Lefty who had a pained expression on his face. Presently the cowboy arose, and saddling a fresh pony, rode out to relieve Alkali.
Cookie soon had a hearty supper ready and both Cecil and Helena did justice to it, making no complaint at the rough fare. They did not notice that both Connie and Alkali kept glancing at the slowly darkening sky.