Crowding around Roy in ready sympathy, the cowboys questioned Porter as
to the state of affairs at the ranch. The messenger knew very little
about it. He had been to a distant pasture land, when he had been
summoned to the ranch house by another cowboy, who was sent after him.
When he got back he found Mr. Bradner quite ill.

"He said he wanted me to go for Roy," went on Porter, "'cause he knew I
could ride fast. But he particular didn't want Roy to git worried. He
said it was as much a business matter as anything."

"Maybe he's goin' to die an' wants to make his will," suggested one of
the cowboys.

"Here! What's the matter with you! Don't you know no better than
that?" demanded Billy in a hoarse whisper. "Want to give Roy a scare?
I'll peg you out if you do that again!"

"I--I didn't think!"

"No, I guess you didn't. Lucky he didn't hear you. Now you think
twice before you speak once, after this."

"Here's your grub," announced the cook, holding out a big package to
Roy. It contained enough food for three men, but Roy was a favorite
with "Smoke," as indeed he was with all the men on the ranch, and this
was the only way the genius of the camp-fire could show his affection.

"Say, what do you think he goin' to do? Be three days on the home
trail?" asked Billy. "He don't want no snack like that. He can't
carry it."

"I thought maybe he'd be hungry in the night."

"I expect I will be, but not enough to get away with all that,"
remarked Roy with a smile, as he saw the big package. "I just want a
little bread, and some cold bacon."

The cook, with a sigh at the thought of the boy not being able to eat
all the food, made a smaller package. Meanwhile Roy was in the saddle,
ready to travel, wondering what could be the matter with his father,
and why his parent had sent for him in such a hurry.

"Got your gun?" asked Porter.

"Yes," answered Roy, tapping the pistol in its holster at his belt.

"Maybe you'd better take my pony," suggested Billy. "He can travel
faster than yours."

"No; Jack Rabbit's good enough for me," replied the boy, patting his
own pony on the neck. "Yours may be a bit faster, but Jack Rabbit will
stick longer. Well, I'm off!"

"Good luck!" called Billy.

"Don't worry!" advised Porter.

"We'll see you in a couple of days," shouted the other cowboys. "Take
care of yourself."

"I will," said Roy, as he called to his pony, who started off on a
steady "lope" that rapid