“Howdy, Roy! Glad to see you up,” said Dale. How the quiet voice steadied Helen! She beheld Bo. Bo, looking the same, except a little pale and disheveled! Then Bo saw her and leaped at her, into her arms.
“Nell! I'm here! Safe—all right! Never was so happy in my life.... Oh-h! talk about your adventures! Nell, you dear old mother to me—I've had e-enough forever!”
Bo was wild with joy, and by turns she laughed and cried. But Helen could not voice her feelings. Her eyes were so dim that she could scarcely see Dale when he loomed over her as she held Bo. But he found the hand she put shakily out.
“Nell!... Reckon it's been harder—on you.” His voice was earnest and halting. She felt his searching gaze upon her face. “Mrs. Cass said you were here. An' I know why.”
Roy led them all indoors.
“Milt, one of the neighbor boys will take care of thet hoss,” he said, as Dale turned toward the dusty and weary Ranger. “Where'd you leave the cougar?”
“I sent him home,” replied Date.
“Laws now, Milt, if this ain't grand!” cackled Mrs. Cass. “We've worried some here. An' Miss Helen near starved a-hopin' fer you.”
“Mother, I reckon the girl an' I are nearer starved than anybody you know,” replied Dale, with a grim laugh.
“Fer the land's sake! I'll be fixin' supper this minit.”