“Looks like a storm blowin’ up,” the cowboy presently remarked.
“Yes,” agreed Connie. “And the cattle seem to be growing more restless. We may need more riders before morning. I’m staying, of course.”
“Is there any danger of a stampede?” Cecil asked eagerly.
“Reckon it would give you a real thrill to see one,” Alkali commented dryly. “Well, maybe you’ll get your chance.”
After supper while Helena and Cecil sat around the campfire, Connie rode slowly around the herd. The cattle seemed fairly quiet. A few animals were on their feet but most of them were lying down. Lefty’s discordant voice could be heard singing an old cowboy song.
Connie rode over to talk with him.
“How does the weather look to you, Lefty?”
“Not so good,” he admitted, squinting up at the moving clouds overhead. “We’ll have rain before morning. I wish we had a few extra men.”
“The cattle seem to be quiet.”
“Sure, they are now, but there’s something in the air, Connie. You can feel it. When the storm breaks, I’ll be plumb surprised if they don’t start rattlin’ their hocks.”