Sometimes it appears as if one must give up a desire in this world in order to accomplish it.
Certainly Ralph Marshall surrendered all thought of discovering Billy—at least on this particular day. He would try again, however, on the next day and on as many days as were necessary.
The early dusk had fallen. Ralph was walking along, leading his burro and fearing that he had overtaxed its strength, although these small ponies are supposed to be able to survive almost any test of endurance.
Then, quite unexpectedly, he heard noises. They were unmistakably human noises. Tying his burro to a nearby tree, Ralph walked cautiously toward them.
He had not, however, in any way associated the noises with the success of his own quest. For, temporarily at least, he had forgotten Billy, or rather he believed that the boy must by this time have returned to Sunrise camp.
The fact which made him most curious was, that at the present moment he was not far away from the spot where he and Peggy Webster had accidentally discovered the unknown group of men some little time before. These were the men who were apparently the strikers on the railroad.
If these were the same men whom he now overheard, Ralph was not anxious to thrust himself into their society against their wishes.
Nevertheless he was amazed when he finally saw them. Yet the men were the ones he had expected them to be.
The amazement was due to Billy Webster.
Billy was with them! But not only was he with them. In spite of his long legs he had been lifted high in the air and was seated on the shoulders of two of the biggest and strongest of the men. And Billy was making a speech!