"Oh, yes, I can make it all right," was the reply. "Thank you."
And when he was gone, many curious glances followed him. He was always a matter of curiosity to the cowboys for they could not understand his deep interest in digging up the bones of monster animals that had walked the earth millions of years ago. However, Bud and his cousins could appreciate this scientific interest, knowing what it added to the sum of human knowledge.
But now there was a new source of curiosity regarding the professor, and I am frank to say there was no little suspicion. In spite of the fact that (as I have told you in the first book of this series), the professor was cleared of certain suspicions there still remained, in the mind of some persons, suspicions and lurking thoughts.
Why had the scientist returned to Diamond X at the very time when the government opened the land to claimants? Why had he led astray the pursuit of those who fired the shots that night? And now was his explanation of how he happened to be in company with those believed to be sheep herders a good explanation?
These were questions that needed answering, though it may be said that the older cowboys were more concerned about them than were the boy ranchers. They were young enough to be naturally unsuspicious of their scientific friend.
"But I wish I knew what he really crossed the creek for," said Billee.
"Then you don"t believe his story?" asked Snake Purdee.
"Not by a long shot!" exclaimed Billee. "Do you?"
""Twas kinder fishy," admitted the other. "But what would his object be, and what was his game?"
Billee had no chance to answer, for just then the telephone bell jingled, and the veteran cow puncher answered it. He had no sooner given the customary "h.e.l.lo," than the expression on his face changed and he cried:
"You don"t say so! That"s too bad! All right, some of us will be right over."
"What"s the matter?" asked Bud anxiously, coming up just in time to hear Billee"s remark.
"There"s trouble back at the ranch," was the grim answer. "They have just called for help!"
"Trouble! What sort?"
"Oh, n.o.body"s hurt, as far as that goes," Billee hastened to a.s.sure the boy. "But there"s been a raid on your cattle. Rustlers up to their old tricks, I reckon. It"s a call for help from Diamond X!"
CHAPTER X
DEL PINZO"S HAND
Instantly all were astir in the shack that had been erected as a fort on the bank of Spur Creek, and a rush was made for saddles and the usual trappings of a cowboy. Nor were guns forgotten, for if these would not be needed in fighting off the rustlers, they would be of service in driving back a herd of frightened animals determined to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the source of their alarm.
Billee was overwhelmed with questions.
"Who were they?"
"What did they do?"
"Who was on the wire?"
To all of these the veteran raised a hand for silence.
"I"ll tell you all I know," he said.
"Maybe you"d better tell us on the run," suggested Yellin" Kid. "If we"re goin" t" help we"d better be moseying along, and _p.r.o.nto_ at that."
"Good idea," chuckled Old Billee. "Well," he resumed as they hurried toward the corral where their horses were kept, "it was the boss himself speaking on the wire. He didn"t say much except to let it out that we"d better get back as soon as we could. He didn"t say who it was that caused the ruction, so you know about as much of it as I do.
Then he hung up. But I could hear there was some excitement in your place, lads," he went on to the boy ranchers, "for I could hear some of the boys standing around your dad murmurin" an" talkin", an" I heard somebody ask if they got th" bullet out yet."
"Then there must have been shooting!" cried d.i.c.k.
"I reckon!" a.s.sented Old Billee.
"Cracky!" cried Nort. "This is like old times!"
"You said it!" voiced Bud.
They were all in the saddles now, pulling their ponies sharply around to head for the trail that led back to Diamond X. Then Old Billee bethought him of something.
"I say!" he sung out. "This won"t do!"
"What won"t?" asked Nort.
"All of us going off this way. We"ve got to leave some one here to hold the fort, boys. Them onery sheep herders may steal in on us while we"re away, and take possession. An" you know," went on Billee with a momentous shake of his head, "possession is nine points of th" law.
Somebody"s got t" stay here," he decided. "You two fellers"d better do it," and he pointed to two cowboys who had recently come from Diamond X to augment the guard at Spur Creek.
"Aw, Billee!" objected one. "We don"t want t" stay here!"
"Have a heart, old man, an" let us come with you!" pleaded the other.
"They won"t be nothin" doin" here! Them sheep herders have just seen that we"re on guard an" they"ve gone back home t" report. They won"t arrive an" be able t" git any sheep here "fore we can mosey back if we have to."
"That"s right!" joined in the first newcomer who had spoken. "Take us along, Billee!"
"Wa"al," said Billee slowly, as if in doubt, "I don"t know how much help they"ll need back at Diamond X----"
"Better not take any chances," said Snake Purdee.
"I don"t believe the sheep men will come back here again very soon,"
was Yellin" Kid"s usual loud-voiced opinion.
"All right--come along then," conceded Billee, and the two cowboys who were on the verge of being left behind rode with the others. It was fast riding, too, for when word comes in that cattle stealers are in the neighborhood of any ranch, it behooves those charged with the safety of men and animals to be on the "jump." There is always more or less theft going on among the western cattle ranches but most of it is on such a small scale that drastic action is not often taken. No ranchman missed an occasional animal, which may be "lifted" because of dire hunger, perhaps, on the part of some needy person.
But when a "bunch" of valuable steers is driven off and when there are indications that an organized attempt is being made to steal more, this shows the presence of cattle rustlers, and concerted action must be taken against them.
It was this thought that was in the minds of all who thus rode "sweatin" leather" from Spur Creek toward Diamond X ranch, and from the glances that each member of the party cast, now and then, at the weapons swinging at their sides in the big holsters, it was evident that if shooting was to be a part of the game, they would be ready for it.
"Things are livening up a bit, aren"t they?" remarked Nort to Bud as the boys rode side by side.
"That"s the way they ought to be," declared d.i.c.k. "I hate sitting around and waiting for something to happen."
"We didn"t have to wait very long," chuckled Bud.