arried the trunk into a little room off the station,
Thomas said:

"Can you ride horseback at all, Bob?"

"No."

"That's too bad. You'll have to learn. Everybody rides out here. I've
orders to get you the best pony possible and I wanted to know just what
kind to get. Most of 'em have some mean trick. But there's one, Firefly
they call him, that is as gentle as a lamb. Whether Shorty Simmons will
sell him or not, I don't know, but I'll find out."

"Is he fast?" asked Bob, fearing that the pony might be slow and old
because he was gentle.

"There's not a horse in Fairfax that can keep up with him. Now this will
be your room. It's mine too, but I'll move if you wish."

"If you do, I'll go to the hotel."

"All right, I won't. While you are changing your clothes, I'll ride over
to town and see if I can buy Firefly."

The group of loungers was still on the platform when the agent went to
the little lean-to beside the station where he kept his horse, saddled
and mounted it, and as they saw him ride forth a wicked gleam appeared
in Higgins' eyes.

He calculated that Bob would soon emerge from the seclusion of the
station, and in such event he recognized his opportunity for carrying
out his vow to have some fun with the boy.

Eager to begin Western life, Bob quickly took off his new suit and put
on a pair of the corduroy trousers and one of the blue flannel shirts
Mr. Nichols had bought him and then proudly placed on his head a
sombrero.

Standing before the looking glass, he surveyed the effect, saying to
himself as he noted the change the costume made in his appearance:

"I don't believe Mr. Dardus or anyone back in New York would know me
now."

But not long did he linger gazing at himself.

The voices of the men on the platform were audible and he decided to
join the group in the hope that from some chance remark he might learn
of a ranch where he could obtain a job as cowboy. For though he was
grateful to the agent, Bob wanted to be independent.

CHAPTER XVIII

ON THE TRACK

"Now you look more as though you belonged in Fairfax," declared one of
the loungers as Bob joined them.

"All except the clothes and hat," grunted Higgins. "Say, you won't have
any trouble getting a job if you go just as you are. Any rancher would
hire you to scare coyotes away from the home ranch."

This sally at his expense sent a hot flush to Bob's cheeks, but,
remembering the agent's advice to give back better than h