“After vainly trying to find some trace of him, I became worried enough to put the matter into the hands of the authorities. I feel certain that Jimmy must have found out about this, and perhaps thought he would be subjected to the disgrace of arrest, and hauled before a justice. He is a sensitive, high-strung boy, and no doubt his feelings were deeply wounded.”
“I think you are right, sir,” said Tom. “For whenever I happened to mention the Texas Rangers a very curious expression always came over his face.”
The ranchman rising to his feet began to pace the floor. “My mind has been greatly relieved in a way,” he resumed meditatively, “and yet”—he paused—“and yet I can’t help feeling deeply concerned about Jimmy’s safety in that Mexican town!”
“It sure ain’t no place for a kid,” exclaimed the cowboy. “The Mexican rebs, before very long, is sure to blow the whole bloomin’ place to bits!”
“Blimby!” Colonel Sylvester spoke in sharp, earnest tones, “something has to be done, and at once. But for the fact that I have a very important stock deal on hand and engagements with some representatives of Eastern buyers, I’d go myself. You ought not to be spared from the range just at this time when cattle rustlers are apt to swoop down on the herds; but better a thousand times that they should take every steer I own than to let anything happen to Jimmy. You must——”
“I don’t think so, Colonel,” interrupted Tom, quietly. “Bob Somers and I will go after Jimmy to-day, explain how things are, and bring him right back to you.”
“Why, my dear boy, I couldn’t think of allowing you to assume such a risk!” protested the ranchman.
“But he and I intended to go back a bit later on, in any event,” said the Rambler with a smile. “Please just leave it to us. Do I know the danger? Oh, yes—though it probably isn’t so very great, sir.”
Then followed a long earnest discussion during which Blimby, who hadn’t any great desire to set foot on Mexican soil, remained discreetly silent.
“Tom!” exclaimed the colonel, at length, holding out his hand, “you’ve won your point and also my everlasting gratitude. Tell Jimmy I’ll give him a chance to be a cowboy if he still desires to try that sort of life.”