“Well, what do you youngsters think you’re goin’ to do out here, anyway?” drawled Jack, chuckling audibly.
“For one thing—trail the Rangers a bit,” grinned Cranny. “We want to find out what their job’s like. My—it must be dandy fun, ridin’ around the country all day, an’——”
“I’ll wager them there notions won’t stick long in your head,” put in Jim. “’Tain’t no easy snap.”
“But in the old days things was a heap worse,” exclaimed Stovall, the youngest of the four. “Then Texas was full o’ outlaw bands an’ cattle rustlers. The ranchmen and cow-punchers used to have some mighty hot times, an’ the man who was slow on the draw didn’t stan’ much show!”
“You’re right there, Jack,” affirmed Captain Braddock. “I know, for I’ve seen a bit of gun play in my time.”
“Here’s what I mean, fellers,” went on Stovall.
Walking to the center of the room he began to give an exhibition of “the draw.” From almost every conceivable position, both on the ground and standing, the tall, raw-boned Texan showed with what remarkable rapidity and dexterity a man can draw his pistol and aim.
The boys enthusiastically applauded his efforts.
“Thanks; glad ye like it,” said Stovall, with a broad grin. “Whew! Maybe I ain’t some hot after all that.”
“Say, Jack, do you chaps have any drills?” asked Tom Clifton.