on them,” Jim remarked.
“Yeah. They’re ours, all right,” replied Hap, looking at the large HR letters stamped on their hips.
Then he and Jim cocked their ears and listened. From the distance came the sound of a horse’s hoofs. A few moments later a rider, dressed like a cowboy, appeared around a bend in the trail. He was short of stature, and his face had the leathery appearance of a person who had spent much time in the sun. He stopped his horse and eyed the boys curiously; as he rubbed a hand across his forehead, a deep ugly scar showed on his wrist.
“Do you live around here?” he asked.
Hap nodded. “This is my dad’s ranch, and my friend, Jim Hawk, works for him. We’ve just pulled two critters out of the mud.”
“Why, you’re doing regular cowboy work, aren’t you?” said the stranger, smiling. “And I should add important work, too.”
“We think so,” answered Hap, proudly. “Where are you from, mister?” he asked, wanting to be friendly.
“Elkhorn Ranch,” replied the stranger. “I’m the new cowhand. I’ve never been in Washington before, but I like your country. Yes, sir, it’s mighty find cattle land. We’re missing some steer at the ranch, and I thought I’d see if they had wandered over here.”
“I haven’t seen them,” answered Hap, “but we’ll keep on the lookout.”
“I’d be much obliged if you would,” said the man. Before Hap could ask him another question, he rode away on his horse.
“I wonder if he is a new cowhand at Elkhorn Ranch,” said Jim, frowning. “Joe Wilson told Grandpa that they were not taking on extra cowhands this spring.” He scowled some more. “I’ve seen that man before. Did you notice the scar on his wrist?”
“Come to think of it I did,” answered Hap. He was beginning to be suspicious of the stranger, too. “I’ll ask Mr. Bates about him. He’s the new owner of Elkhorn Ranch, and he’s coming to see Dad about something tonight.” Then Hap rubbed his stomach. “Man! I’m hungry.”
“So am I,” said Jim. “My stomach feels as if it has a hole in it as big as . . .” He did not finish, for just then an object caught his attention near a rock. He steered his horse toward it. “Hap. Come here, quick!”
Hap turned White Sock about. A second later he was staring at the carcass of an animal. “It’s our calf,” he said in a choked voice.
Jim nodded sadly. “Maybe a cougar killed her.”
The boys looked at the carcass in silence. Finally they turned away with heavy hearts, for a pair of turkey vultures were flying low, waiting to eat the remains of the calf.
“I guess our detective work is over,” said Hap. “Rustlers didn’t take our calf after all.” Then, remembering he was famished, he gave a long mournful groan.
“Don’t you feel well?” Jim asked him.
“Sure. I’m tops, but I’m starved. Come on, White Sock. Head for home before I drop dead from hunger.”
Jim laughed. “What would you do if you were a spaceman on the moon and your food ran out and you couldn’t get back to earth?”
Hap shrugged. “You’ve got me. All I know now is that Mom has lunch ready and is wondering where we are. So let’s step on it.”
It was not too long before the boys rode into the ranch yard. After dismounting their horses in a corral, they ran pell-mell into the house. Hap was right. His mother was dishing out lunch. The boys washed their hands and joined Mr. Miller, Tom, and Bill at the table. Grandpa Hawk was there too. Jim took his place next to the old man. It was always a thrill for his grandpa and him to eat at Hanging Rock Ranch, because Mrs. Miller treated them like guests. And she always cooked such good meals. Right now Jim’s mouth watered as he looked at the hot biscuits she brought to the table. Then he forgot about being hungry as he listened to Mr. Miller talking to Bill. “Are you sure two more calves are missing?” he asked him.
“I’m positive, Mr. Miller,” replied the cowboy. “I’ve searched the range and they are nowhere in sight.”
Jim glanced at Hap wide-eyed, but before he could speak, his friend did it for him. Hap told about the dead calf they had found; he mentioned the new cowhand at Elkhorn Ranch, but he did not say that he and Jim suspected him. They wanted to check on the man first to make sure. Hap’s voice rose with excitement, though, when he told about the tire tracks.
Mr. Miller appeared very much concerned. “What in thunderation would a strange truck be doing on the ranch?”
“Maybe the driver took the wrong road,” suggested Tom.
“That could be,” answered Mr. Miller. “Anyway, I’m glad to see that the boys have been doing detective work. Keep it up.”
“We will,” Hap assured him. “We rode bog, too, Dad. We pulled two critters out of the mud.”
“Glad to hear it.” Mr. Miller winked at Tom. “Do you think they’re ready for a promotion?”
Tom winked back. “After rescuing two critters, I’d say they’ve had enough experience to round up cattle one of these days.”
Hap grinned at Jim. The Indian boy grinned back, but deep down inside of him he was bursting with joy. To round up cattle was something he had been longing to do.
Then he felt his grandpa pat him on the back. “I’m proud of you,” said the old man.
Jim wanted to shout out his happiness, but remembering his manners, he sat there and listened to Mr. Miller talk some more to Tom and Bill. “So we’re missing three calves in two days. I don’t like it. No, sir, I don’t. We haven’t had rustlers on the reservation for several years now, but I guess they’re about due again.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Of course, the boys found the carcass of one of the calves, so maybe we’ve got a cougar on our hands too.”
Tom shrugged. “I haven’t come across cougar tracks on the range, Mr. Miller.”
“Neither have I,” added Bill.
“What do you think, Sam Hawk?” asked Mr. Miller, turning to the old Indian.
“I haven’t seen a mountain lion in two years, Mr. Miller. Those big cats are becoming animals of the past in this part of the country.”
For a few minutes there was silence. Then Mrs. Miller said in a disturbed voice, “Everyone please eat. Lunch is getting cold.”
The boys needed no further urging. They ate all the food on their plates, had second portions, and thanked Mrs. Miller for the delicious meal. With heads together they went outside.
“You know something?” said Hap. “Maybe a cougar killed the calf we found, but I still think rustlers took the other two calves.”
“I do, too,” agreed Jim.
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