But the first lot of steers had been sent away, bringing a higher price than usual because of their prime condition, attributed, so Bud said, to the finer quality of grass, and it looked as if the boy ranchers might make a success of their first venture.
"Even discounting the black rabbit and the warnings out of the air," said Bud.
It was, then, with somewhat of an ominous feeling that, one morning, as the boys and their cowboy friends were at breakfast, they saw a rider hastening toward them along the trail that led from Diamond X.
"It's Snake Purdee!" exclaimed Yellin' Kid, when the rider had approached near enough to be recognized.
"An' he's ridin' like he had suthin' on his mind!" added Old Billee. "I hope that black rabbit——" he murmured, and then his voice trailed off into a whisper as Yellin' Kid surreptitiously kicked him under the packing-box table.
"Don't scare th' boys!" whispered Yellin' Kid in explanation, as Snake Purdee galloped nearer.
The rider flung himself from his pony, which came to a sliding stop near the camp tents, and, looking first at the boy ranchers, and then at the big, peaceful valley stretching out before him, remarked:
"Yes, there's plenty of room here!"
"For what?" asked Bud.
"More cattle!" answered Snake Purdee. "There's been trouble over at Square M, fellows!"