“Grab a-holt, feller!”
They shook hands solemnly. Buck shut one eye and considered Bad News.
“I don’t reckon there’s anythin’ left to tell yuh about Painted Valley, Blaze,” he said slowly. “Bad News looks all talked out.”
“We’ve conversed,” nodded Bad News seriously.
“I’ll betcha. Well, set down, Blaze.”
“I was just leavin’,” grinned Blaze. “Me and the gang out at the Circle M were all out of smokin’ tobacco. They’re probably cussin’ me now for takin’ so long. Was yuh surprised to see me, Buck?”
“Nope. Oh, I was surprised, shore. But I’d been prepared for it.”
He reached down in his chaps pocket and pulled out a yellow telegram, which was handed to Blaze. It was directed to Buck Gillis, at Broad Arrow, and read:
“If Blaze Nolan is in that country tell him to communicate with me at once.
“Kendall H. Marsh.”
“Did he know you was out of the pen?” asked Bad News.