Scotty stood up. "Hello," he called.
Ben halted and turned about, looking his surprise.
"Well, in the name of all that's proper!" he ejaculated slowly; "where'd you drop down from?"
Scotty smiled broadly; frank admiration for the dusty cowboy was in his gaze.
"I didn't drop down at all; I walked around here about half an hour ago. You were rather preoccupied at the time and didn't notice me."
Blair came back to the fence and swung over the saddle and bridle. "You took in the whole show then?" he asked. A trace of color came into his face, as he vaulted over the rails. "I hope you enjoyed it."
Scotty observed the latest feat, unconscious as its predecessor, with augmented admiration. "I certainly did," he said, and the subject was dropped.
The two men walked together toward the ranch-house.
"I came over to see Rankin," remarked the Englishman, "but I'm afraid I'll have to wait a bit."
"I guess you will," replied Ben. "He went up to the north well this morning. They're building some sheds up there, and he's superintending the job. He's as liable to forget about dinner as not. Nothing I can do for you, is there?"