Tearing off the sleeve of her blouse she sopped it in water and sponged his forehead.
“How did you get here?” she asked. “Where is your horse?”
“Haven’t any,” the man mumbled. “I walked from Red Gulch.”
“You walked!” exclaimed Connie. “No wonder you had a touch of heat. You’re a stranger around these parts, aren’t you?”
“I guess maybe I am,” the man admitted. “I’m looking for a job. They told me in Red Gulch I might get one out at Rainbow Ranch. I started walking but I couldn’t find the place.”
“Why, you’re at Rainbow Ranch now,” declared Connie. “But as for getting a riding or cowboy job——”
“I can ride even if I don’t own a horse,” the man said quickly. “My name is Jim Barrows.”
“I’m real glad to meet you,” replied Connie smiling.
She liked the young man but she doubted very much that he could ride or that he knew anything about ranch work. A cowboy never would have tried to walk the distance from Red Gulch, nor would one accustomed to outdoor life have been affected by the sun. Jim Barrows obviously was a tenderfoot.
“Here, let me help you,” she said kindly as the man tried to raise himself. “If you’re able to ride my horse I can get you to the ranch house. Or maybe it would be better to go for help.”