“Help these folks move up to the ranch-house.”
“Thank you, but we can attend to that. We have our mules and one pony with which to operate,” spoke up Tom Gray. “If you will arrange to get Lieutenant Wingate up, as you have suggested, we shall be all set.”
Nevada was sent to the ranch to fetch the buckboard and returned with it in about an hour. In the meantime the cowpunchers were interested witnesses to the breaking of camp, in which all the Overlanders except Hippy participated, and in a short time packs were rolled and Jim-Sam were lashing them to the mules and to Ginger.
“I reckon these heah folks ain’t no tenderfeet,” observed Sierra, as the cowboys rode away.
“Have ye jest found thet out?” drawled Two-gun Pete. “If they kin all fit like the Dude kin, the rustlers better hike fer the mountains an’ stay thar.”
Nora, riding with Hippy, swung a hand to the men as the buckboard passed them on the way to the Circle O ranch, and by the time the rest of the party reached there Hippy was taking what ease he could get on a cot on the front porch of the ranch-house.
The Overland Riders pitched their camp on a little rise of ground a short distance to the rear of the ranch buildings, and the cowpunchers observed this further operation with interest.
“Good job,” approved Idaho.
“Thank you,” smiled Grace. “We hope you boys will come around whenever you can. You all have been mighty kind to us and we appreciate it.”
“Where did you folks larn to do things like you do?” asked Nevada.