"Well, if it ain't the kid," the man said as he saw the boy. "Thought thar was sumpin' behind that tree."
"You thought right," Bob assured him. Then, putting as much indifference as possible into his voice, he asked: "Were you looking for me?"
"Laws, no," the man replied. "What made yer think that?"
"I just thought it possible," Bob replied easily.
"Well, put up yer gun, sonny. Thar's no need o' guns atween friends. I ain't a goin' ter hurt yer any."
Bob had recognized the man as one of those who had advised giving him a necktie party the night before and was not at all deceived by his friendly attitude. But he was a small man, not much over a hundred and twenty pounds, and he felt sure that if it should come to a fight he could hold up his end. So he slipped the revolver back in his pocket.
"Where were you going?" he asked indifferently.
"No where in particular," the man answered. "Whar you hittin' it fer?"
"I'm going back to the ranch."
"Oh."