through the kitchen, much to the astonishment of the Chinese cook. Here Phil scooped up a ladleful of soup.
"Halt, base enemy!" he cried, holding the soup aloft. "One step closer and thou shalt be----" And then he slipped and the soup slopped over his hand and his shoes. He ran for the yard again, dropped on a bench, in mock exhaustion; and there the others joined him; and the fun, for the time being, came to an end.
"We are going to the railroad station this afternoon with papa," said Belle. "Want to go along?"
"Will a duck drink ice-cream soda!" cried Roger. "Of course we will go along."
"Then you had better get ready now--for we are to start directly after lunch."
"Anything special at the station?" questioned Dave.
"Papa is going to see a man about some horses. He wants to buy a few more good ones, if he can."
"It's a pity we can't find out what became of the others," went on Dave.
It took the girls some time to prepare for the journey to the railroad station, so the start from Star Ranch was not made until after two o'clock. Mr. Endicott rode in advance, and the young folks paired off in couples after him.
When they got to the bridge Dave was much surprised to see a couple of men at work repairing the structure. They were putting down some planking that was bound to last a long while.
"Mr. Merwell must have opened his heart at last," said Dave, to the railroad president.
"Not at all, Dave; I am having this work done," was Mr. Endicott's reply.
"But I thought you said it was up to Mr. Merwell to keep this bridge in repair."
"So it is, but as he won't do anything, rather than have a quarrel, I am repairing it myself."
"Do you think he wants to sell out? Maybe that is his reason for not spending money in repairs."
"He will sell out, but his price is very high--too high to suit the man who wants to buy."
Leaving the vicinity of the bridge, the party continued on the way to the railroad station. The train was not yet in, but it soon arrived and on it came the man Mr. Endicott wished to see. From the train also stepped Hank Snogger. The ranch hand had evidently been to a barber in the city, for he was shaven and his hair was closely trimmed.
"He looks like quite a different person," remarked Belle. "He always wore his hair long and straggly before."
"Yes, and he wasn't any too clean," answered Dave. "Now he is well washed and brushed."
Hank Snogger walked around the station on an errand, and then came up to where a horse was waiting for him. As he did this he passed quite close to the boys and girls and gave the former a cold stare.
"Do you know, I feel sure I have seen somebody that looks like him," said Dave in a whisper. "I said so before. But I can't place the man."
"Yes, I've seen somebody that looked like him, too," added Roger. "It was while we were coming out here. Now let me think." And he rubbed his chin reflectively.
"Here's a letter about that boy we helped, Charley Gamp," said Phil, who had just received the mail.
"Charley Gamp!" cried Dave. "That's it--that's the same face! This Hank Snogger looks exactly like Charley Gamp!"
CHAPTER XXV
THE BEGINNING OF THE GRAND HUNT
Dave's announcement produced a little sensation, and for the moment his chums stared at him in astonishment.
"Come to think of it, that man does look like the little newsboy," said Roger, slowly. "Do you suppose they can be related?"
"I'd hate to think that Charley Gamp was related to such a fellow," said Phil. "Snogger isn't a nice sort to have anything to do with."
"Mr. Endicott said he didn't use to be so bad," answered Dave. "It is only lately--since he went to work for Mr. Merwell--that he has grown dissolute."
"Maybe he is sorry that he left the Endicott place," said the senator's son. "I'll wager he has no such nice times at the Triple X Ranch as he had at the Star."
"Not if all the cowboys are like those who came to our entertainment," said Phil. "But, Dave, if you think he's related to Charley Gamp, why not speak to him about it?"
"You may get into trouble if you do," interposed Roger, hastily. "Some of these Western characters don't like to have their past raked up."
"But Charley Gamp wants to find his relatives," went on the shipowner's son.
"I'll bring it around--when I get the chance," said Dave. "But I can't do it now," he added. "He's gone." And Dave was right. Hank Snogger had leaped on his horse, and was off, on a trail that led up the river instead of across it.
"What are you boys confabbing about?" cried Belle, coming up, with a box of candy in her hand.
"We were just wondering where we'd get some candy," answered Dave, innocently. He did not think it wise to mention Snogger just then.
"Indeed! Well, I bought this from the candy man of the train. He is waiting for the down train."
"Where is he?" questioned Roger.
"Down the track--by the water tower."
"We'll raid him!" cried the senator's son, and then he and Dave and Phil set off on a footrace in the direction of the man who sold candy, cigars, and magazines. They found that he had a pretty fair stock of candy and magazines, and each boy purchased what he thought would suit the others and himself. In the fun and good spirits that followed Hank Snogger was, for the time being, forgotten.
Two days later there was a rounding-up of some of the cattle and the boys were allowed to participate. They went out with Sid Todd, who had charge of the round-up, and were in the saddle from early morning until late at night. The cattle were gathered in a valley up the river, sorted out from some belonging to Mr. Merwell and Mr. Hooper, and then driven off to a stockyard along the railroad line.
"Not so exciting as I thought it would be," said Dave, after the round-up was over.
"I've had all the riding I want for one day," answered the shipowner's son.
"That's right," grumbled Roger. They had had only a quarter of an hour's rest for lunch. "I reckon some of us will be stiff in the morning," and he was right, all felt somewhat sore.
The round-up had been a careful one, for Mr. Endicott had heard that Mr. Merwell was finding fault over the way some of his cattle were being chased by the cowboys. The following afternoon the Merwells--father and son--met Mr. Endicott as he and Belle were riding along the trail, talking over the family's plans for the coming winter.
"See here, I want to speak about my cattle," cried Mr. Merwell, wrathfully, as he drew rein.
"Some time when I am alone, Mr. Merwell," answered the railroad president. He quickly saw that his neighbor was "spoiling for a fight."
"Your men took three or four of my steers," went on Mr. Merwell. "I won't stand for it."
"That can't be so, Mr. Merwell. My man, Todd, is a careful rounder, and he told me he was sure of the brands."
"He ain't careful at all," broke in Link. "He drinks and he don't know what he is doing."
"This is an affair between your father and myself," said Mr. Endicott, stiffly. "You will kindly keep out of it."
"Huh! I guess I can have my say!" growled Link.
"I shall hold you responsible for every