"But I hit him, anyhow, I'll tell you that, fellows."
Frank found that all Reddy meant to do was to hang the two elk up, after they had cut some choice portions for immediate use. The other
cowboys would come with the horses, on their way down the river, on the morrow, and secure the game.
"We got fooled out of elk steaks once and don't mean to again, I tell you," said Jerry, as he shouldered his portion of the load.
So they returned to camp.
"What's this?" said Mr. Mabie as they came filing in. "Back already, and only out two hours? Got some meat, too, I see. That's good. Such appetites as you boys are developing threaten to eat us out of house and home soon, unless we eke out with game. Who cut up the elk?"
"The boys all took a hand. They wanted to learn," smiled Reddy.
"I kind of thought they had," nodded the stockman, who could easily see that it was not the work of an experienced hand.
Bluff failed to catch the twinkle of humor in the other's eyes.
"Yes, and I could have made even a better job if I'd had the knife along I foolishly went and left at home," he remarked disconsolately, whereat Jerry, Will and Frank exchanged looks, and shrugged their shoulders, but said nothing; for in a case of that kind words are useless.