“Just rounded up for breakfast.”
“Is he coming down here to the corrals?”
“Not that I could notice. Pedro got in from the Junction with last Sunday’s papers, and he and Billie have the picture sheets spread around, having a weekly feast.”
Kit strode over to his mount, and then halted, glancing towards the house a half mile away, and then at the telephone poles along the wide lane.
“Say, there’s a telephone somewhere down here at the works, connecting with the hacienda, isn’t there?”
“Sure, in that hallway between the two adobes where the bunk house ends and offices begin.”
Kit started briskly towards the long bunk house, and then turned to Pike.
“Do me a favor, Captain. Stay right there till I get back, and don’t let anyone take that Herrara horse away, or his load!”
“All right, but load!––why, the spotted rat hasn’t got a load for a jack rabbit, load!” and Pike sniffed disdain at the little knobs of baggage dangling from the rawhide strings. He didn’t think the subdued animal needed watching––still, if Kit said so–––
At the same time Kit was calling the house, and hearing in reply a soft whistle of the meadow lark, and then a girl’s laugh.