Читать книгу Grace Harlowe's Overland Riders at Circle O Ranch онлайн

40 страница из 53

“I’m Joe Bindloss. Where’s the duffer who dared me to come after him?”

“I’m the duffer,” answered Hippy, stepping forward.

“Shake!” rumbled Old Joe Bindloss. “Any friend of Cap’n Gordon is a friend of mine. We’ve had to be kinder careful out here lately because there’s been some rustling done and the word has been passed that there’s a big gang—a regular gang of thieves, that’s working this section under all sorts of disguises.”

“Meet our gang, Mr. Bindloss; every one a rustler, but not the kind you are looking for,” said Hippy laughingly. He then introduced the rancher to the members of the Overland party, and lastly to the guides. Bindloss peered at Sam.

“Wal, strike me dead if it ain’t Sam Conifer!” shouted the rancher, extending a mighty paw to Sam and another to Jim. “Do you folks savvy this feller you’ve got here? You better savvy him if you know what’s good for you. Sam, if you want to do the ‘Circle O’ a great big favor you just get wise to the feller that’s stealing stock, but give him a chance to draw so you can plug him proper. Come on up to the ranch-house.”