boys prepared breakfast and Phil attended to his bruised feet—which felt much better—Sid Todd told of some happenings at the ranch.
"The girls went out for a horseback ride, along with Mrs. Endicott," said he, "and, coming back, they met Link Merwell. They said he acted so disagreeable that they were afraid of him. Mrs. Endicott was very angry, and I think the boss will speak to Mr. Merwell about it."
"Link ought to be hammered good and hard!" cried Roger.
"The boss wishes the Merwells would sell out. But Mr. Merwell doesn't seem to want to budge. The girls were so afraid of Link they said they wouldn't go out again unless Mr. Endicott was along," continued the cowboy.
"If he molests the girls, he'll have another account to settle with me!" cried Dave.
"And me!" came promptly from his chums.
"He wanted to know where you fellows were, and said he was going out hunting himself."
"He needn't come near us," cried the senator's son. "We don't want him."
"Oh, he won't come near us—unless to make trouble, you may be sure of that," answered Dave.
The cowboy had left word at Star Ranch that the young hunters might remain out longer than originally intended, so the chums did not worry about getting back. All rested during the morn-
