ith no
very good grace, he started to ride slowly around the cattle, to keep
them from moving off in a body.

"I'll go out and relieve him in a little while," offered Roy. "I'll
soon be through supper."

"You take your time now, son," advised Billy. "It won't hurt that
redskin to go hungry a while. Maybe he'll be a little sprier after
this."

Supper was soon served, and when Roy had eaten his share he prepared to
go out, and relieve Low Bull. He threw the saddle over his pony's
back, and, having tightened the girths, was about to vault into place,
when he and the other cowboys became aware that some one was riding in
great haste toward the temporary camp.

"Somebody's coming," remarked Bruce Arkdell.

"Don't you s'pose we know it," said Billy good naturedly. "We've got
our sight yet."

"Yes, and it's Porter Simms, from the way he gallops," added the cook,
shading his eyes from the setting sun, and peering across the prairies
at the riding man.

"'Tis Porter," confirmed Billy. "Wonder what he wants? Hope nothing's
happened."

Somehow the words sent a slight feeling of fear to Roy's heart. The
man might have bad news for some one in camp.

"Is Roy here?" cried Porter, as soon as he had come within talking
distance.

"Yes, I'm here," replied the boy. "What's the matter? Is it my
father--?"

"Now don't go gettin' skeered," advised Porter, as he pulled up his
horse sharply. "I sure did ride fast to locate you, but your daddy
wanted me to be sure to tell you, first-off, not to git skeered."

"What's the matter?" asked Roy, his heart fluttering.

"Well, your daddy's a little under the weather, and he wants for you to
come back to the ranch right away. That's the message I was to give to
you. Don't wait to come in with the steers, but start right off. I'll
stay here and take your place."

"Is he--was he very bad?" asked Roy, who had left his father,
seemingly, in perfect health.

"No, not so very I guess. The doctor was there, and he didn't seem
much put out. I reckon Mr. Bradner had a sort of a bad turn, that's
all."

"I'll start right away," decided Roy. "If I ride all night I can get
there by morning."

"Don't you want one of us to go with you?" asked Billy.

"No. I'm not afraid. I've done it before. Smoke, will you pack me a
little grub?"

"Surest thing you know!" exclaimed the cook, as he began to do up some
bacon and bread.

CHAPTER II

MR. BRADNER IS SUSPICIOUS