Roderick, already captivated by the whole-souled, frank manner of Grant Jones, now found himself much interested in the beautiful twin sisters as well. Hour followed hour in bright and sprightly conversation, and soon the tenderfoot who had been inclined to condole with himself as a lonely stranger among strangers was feeling quite at home in the great western world of hospitable welcome and good comradeship.
At an early hour next morning Grant Jones, the Shields girls and a dozen other people left the train at the little town of Walcott. They extended hearty invitations for Roderick to come over to southern Wyoming to see the country, its great mines and the big smelter. "If you pay us a visit," said Grant Jones, laughing, "I'll promise you a fine big personal in the _Dillon Doublejack_, of which mighty organ of public opinion I have the honor to be editor."
Roderick, with a bow of due reverence for his editorial majesty and a bright smile for the sisters, promised that he likely would make the trip before very long. Then he swung himself onto the already moving train and continued his westward journey to Rawlins.
IT was seven o'clock the same morning when Roderick left the train at Rawlins.
The raw, cold wind was blowing a terrific gale, the streets were deserted save for a few half drunken stragglers who had been making a night of it, going the rounds of saloons and gambling dens.
A bright-faced lad took charge of the mail bags, threw them into a push cart and started rumbling away up the street. Warfield followed and coming up with him inquired for a hotel.
"Right over there is the Ferris House," said the young fellow, nodding his head in the direction indicated.
As Roderick approached the hotel he met a grizzled keen-eyed frontiersman who saluted him with a friendly "Hello, partner, you be a stranger in these yere parts, I'm assoomin'."
"Yes, I just arrived on this morning's train."
"Waal, my handle is Jim Rankin. Been prospectin' the range hereabouts nigh thirty years; uster be sheriff of this yere county when people wuz hostile a plenty--have the best livery stable today in Wyomin', and always glad to see strangers loiterin' 'round and help 'em to git their bearin's if I can be of service--you bet I am."