He had been driven almost to the verge of desperation by
the trying situation, and was fighting for self-control. To take his
foreman's rebuke in the presence of his friends was not easy.
"I reckon I'd better send you to the home ranch to-night, instead of
Bob," continued Phil, as the two men mounted their horses and sat for a
moment facing each other. "It looks like we could spare you best. Tell
Uncle Will to send the chuck wagon and three more punchers, and that
we'll start for the home ranch Friday. And be sure that you get back
here to-morrow."
"Shall I go now?"
"Yes, you can go now."
Patches wheeled his horse and rode away, while Phil disappeared over the
ridge in the direction from which he had come.
When the two cowboys were out of sight, Helen went straight to her
husband, and to Stanford's consternation, when he took her in his arms,
she was crying.
"Why, girl, what is it?" he asked, holding her close.
But she only answered between sobs as she clung to him, "It--it's
nothing--never mind, Stan. I'm just upset."
And Stanford quite naturally thought it was only a case of nerves caused
by the danger through which she had passed.
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