"Your cousins, or, to be more exact, your second cousins," explained
Mrs. Merkel. "We had a letter last week saying they might come on from
California, and now your father has just had a special delivery letter,
saying they're on their way. They'll be here any time."
"Company's coming! Company's coming!" joyously sang Nell, for she was delighted with the news.
"Rosemary and Floyd," repeated Bud, "I don't seem—"
"You haven't seen them in some years," his mother said. "But I'm sure you'll like them."
"Especially Rosemary," laughed Nort, and Nell stuck out her tongue at him.
"Well, I'm glad they didn't come until after the spring round-up," spoke Mr. Merkel, looking at a letter he held. "We'll have more time, now, to be with 'em and show 'em around. I wonder—"
But, as in the case of Slim, he did not finish what he started to say, for there came an interruption, in its way almost as sinister as the whirring of the rattle-snake's tail.
Toward the ranch buildings came the sound of rapidly galloping hoofs, and as they all looked in the direction of the sound they saw, riding in toward them, one of the cowboys.
"It's Old Billee Dobb!" exclaimed Yellin' Kid in a voice that was, as usual, unnecessarily loud. "Looks like rustlers were after him!"
But none rode in pursuit of the veteran cowpuncher, though he was spurring his steed to its utmost.