has sent him on an errand, Frank."

"Just as likely as not, because he trusts old Hank more than any man on
the entire ranch. You can see he's headed in a line that will fetch up
at the Circle Ranch by midnight, if he keeps galloping on. Look there,
he sees us, and is waving his arm. Yes, he's changed his course so as
to meet us, Bob."

"But if we needed the glass to find out who he was, how does it come
that an old man like Hank could tell that we were friends, at such a
distance?" asked the young tenderfoot, always eager to learn.

"Because his eyes are as good as ever they were. Some of these fellows
who have lived in the open all their lives have eyes like an eagle's,
and can tell objects that would look like moving dots to you. Let's
swing around a bit, so as to keep old Hank from doing all the going."

As he spoke Frank veered more to the left, and in this fashion they
speedily drew near the advancing horseman. He proved to be a cowman in
greasy chaps, and with many wrinkles on his weather-beaten face. But
Hank Coombs was as spry as most men of half his age. He could still
hold his place in a round-up; swing the rope in a dexterous manner;
bring down his steer as cleverly as the next man; ride the most
dangerous of bucking broncos; and fulfill his duties with exactness.
Few men grow old on the plains. Most of them die in the harness; and a
cowboy who has outlived his usefulness is difficult to find.

The veteran eyed the additional packs back of the saddles of the two
boys with suspicion in his eyes. He knew the venturesome nature of his
employer's son; and doubtless immediately suspected that Frank might
have some new, daring scheme in view, looking to showing his friend
from the East the wonders of this grand country, where the distances
were so great, the deserts so furiously hot, the mountains so lofty,
and the prairies so picturesque.

"Ain't headin' toward home, are ye, Frank?" was the first question Hank
asked, as they all merged together, and rode slowly onward in company.

"Oh! not thinking of such a thing, Hank," replied the boy. "Why, we
only left the ranch yesterday, you know, and meant to be away several
days, perhaps a week. But I'm glad we ran across your trail right now,
Hank, because you can take a message to dad for me."

"Glad to do that same, Frank," the veteran cowman replied, and then
added: "but jest why are ye headin' this way, might I ask? It's a wild
kentry ahead of