“I reckon so,” said the corporal, sizing up the score or more of lean, square-jawed cowboys, “and in that case we might just as well return to camp.”

He took leave of the three comrades, who thanked him for his escort, and with the troopers at his heels galloped off.

On the trip to the ranch the cowboys crowded around the boys, and plied them with innumerable questions, which they answered to the best of their ability.  On their arrival they were turned over to motherly Mrs. Melton, who insisted on redressing their wounds, and then, after they had made a hearty meal, packed them off to bed.

“Gee, boys!” exclaimed the foreman, before the cowboys dispersed to their alloted tasks, “those lads are sure there when it comes to deliverin’ the goods, ain’t they?  An’ to think that once in a moment of besotted ignorance I referred to them as ‘tender-feet.’  Why, it don’t seem possible them boys can be Easterners at all.  It seems like they jest must ‘a’ been born west o’ the Rockies.”

As this was the highest eulogium any of them could think of, they acquiesced in their foreman’s words and dispersed to work.

CHAPTER XI

Within an Ace

Work about the ranch went steadily on, and there were few interruptions to the daily course of events.  But one day a small black cloud appeared on the western horizon, and grew larger with amazing rapidity.  Soon it had so increased in size that it obscured the sun, and a gloomy twilight settled over the earth.

Bert and Dick and Tom were in the neighborhood of the branding pen, watching the men throw the cattle and brand them with Mr. Melton’s mark.  At first they did not notice the gathering storm, but as the sun grew dimmer and dimmer they looked up, as did many of the cowboys, and saw the ominous-looking cloud.  The cattlemen gave it but one glance, and then quit their tasks and began to securely rope and tie the animals inside the corral and make everything trim and shipshape.

The boys were somewhat surprised to see such precautions being taken against what they thought was merely going to be a thunder shower, but they had gained experience enough to know that when anything was done on the ranch there was generally some good reason back of it, and they had also learned not to ask direct questions.

They wished to know the cause of the evident anxiety on the part of the ranchmen, however, so Bert set about getting the information in the manner they had learned by experience was best.

“Looks as though there were going to be something doing pretty soon, doesn’t there?” he remarked to “Chip,” one of the most experienced members of the working force.

“Somethin’ doin’?” exclaimed Chip.  “Waal, I reckon they will be somethin’ doin’, and mighty soon, too.  We’re goin’ to beat it for the bunkhouse some soon, and you’d better come along with us.  Chances are you won’t have time to make the ranchhouse.  When a norther once gets started, things happens pretty fast, so ef you don’t want to get soaked an’ run a good chance o’ gettin’ blown away you’d better come along with us, all three o’ you.”