"My name is Russ Bunker," interrupted the lad.
"Well, Russ, do you think you could go across the bridge and get my horse for me? If I had him I could ride away, now that I feel better after having had a drink. Will you cross the bridge and get my horse for me?"
"No," said Russ slowly, "I couldn't do that."
"Why not? The horse won't hurt you. He's so tame you could walk right up to him, and get hold of the reins. He won't run the way some horses do. You know something about horses or you wouldn't be riding one. Why won't you get mine?"
"'Cause Mother said I wasn't to cross the bridge alone," answered Russ. "Me or Laddie—we can't go across the bridge alone."
"Oh," said the cowboy. "But then your mother didn't know you were going to meet a sick man—one that couldn't walk. She'd let you cross the bridge if she was here."
"But she isn't here," said Russ. "I know what I can do, though! I can ride back and ask her if Laddie and I can go across the bridge for your horse. I'll do it!"
"No! Wait! Hold on a minute!" cried the cowboy. "I don't want you to do that. I don't want you to ride and tell any one I'm here. I'd rather you'd get my horse for me yourself. Just ride your horse across the bridge and get mine."
"I haven't a horse. I have one of Uncle Fred's ponies," said Russ. "And my brother Laddie's got a pony, too. But I can't go across the bridge. Mother said I wasn't to. But I'll ride to Three Star Ranch——"
"Are you from Three Star Ranch?" asked the cowboy quickly.