No time was wasted, but Billee knew how to handle his men, and he did not insist on an immediate start after the meal. He knew the value of a little rest after food had been taken. The horses, too, would be fresher for a wait.
But while the afternoon was still young they were on their way again, and before dark they had reached the headquarters of North Station, an auxiliary to Diamond X ranch.
"You fellows got here pretty quick," observed Sam Tod, the foreman at North Station.
"Well, we didn't stop to play mumble-th'-peg along th' way," chuckled Billee. "Now let's hear the yarn straight."
It was hastily told, bearing out what had already been learned of it over the telephone.
"Pack us up a little more grub and we'll keep on," said Billee Dobb to Sam, when the narration was ended.
"You'd better call it a day and stay here for the night," counseled Sam.
"Nothin' doin'!" declared Billee earnestly. "We're goin' t' hit th' trail hard!"
"Now listen a moment," begged Sam. "I know this part of the country better 'n what you do, Billee, though I give in to you on lots of points. This section is pretty rough, an' them rustlers won't be able to make any kind of speed with th' cattle. You can catch up t' 'em better if you make an early mornin' start than if you keep on now."
"You think so?" asked Billee, who was not "sot in his ways," as he often said.