“Sure! We're born lucky. Here we are safe and sound—and all this grand camp trip.... Look at the cowboys.... LOOK! Oh, maybe this isn't great!” babbled Bo.
Dale wheeled to see the girls peeping out.
“It's time you're up!” he called. “Your uncle Al is here.”
For an instant after Helen sank back out of Dale's sight she sat there perfectly motionless, so struck was she by the singular tone of Dale's voice. She imagined that he regretted what this visiting cavalcade of horsemen meant—they had come to take her to her ranch in Pine. Helen's heart suddenly began to beat fast, but thickly, as if muffled within her breast.
“Hurry now, girls,” called Dale.
Bo was already out, kneeling on the flat stone at the little brook, splashing water in a great hurry. Helen's hands trembled so that she could scarcely lace her boots or brush her hair, and she was long behind Bo in making herself presentable. When Helen stepped out, a short, powerfully built man in coarse garb and heavy boots stood holding Bo's hands.
“Wal, wal! You favor the Rayners,” he was saying, “I remember your dad, an' a fine feller he was.”
Beside them stood Dale and Roy, and beyond was a group of horses and riders.
“Uncle, here comes Nell,” said Bo, softly.
“Aw!” The old cattle-man breathed hard as he turned.