“It is all up with me now,” thought Julian. “I am discovered at last.”
“Well, sir!” continued the man, after a pause. “I have seen something to-night I never expected to see in my life—White-horse Fred frightened.”
“I guess you would be frightened if you were in my place,” returned Julian, greatly relieved.
“The soldiers haven’t been after you, have they?”
“Oh, it’s the storm, then. It’s awful, that’s a fact. I never heard such thunder or such a roaring of wind. You got here just in time, didn’t you? Listen to that rain. The water in the gullies will be breast high to a horse in five minutes. Where did this fellow come from?” asked the hostler, leading the bay into one of the stalls.
“From Fort Stoughton. He was stolen from the major.”
“Is this all you’ve got? Haven’t you brought any dust or nuggets?”
“No. That was all Smirker had to give me.”
“The fellows up there are getting lazy. They never send anything but horses lately. What do you know that is interesting or exciting?”
“Nothing. Smirker told me to tell you that the captain’s cub had got back.”
“Glory!” exclaimed the man, looking over his shoulder at Julian, and bringing his horny palms together with a noise like the report of a pistol.
“I don’t know what he meant by it,” added Julian, hoping that the man would finish the story Smirker had been relating to him when White-horse Fred arrived.
“Of course you don’t, but I do; and it is the best piece of news I ever heard.”
“That is a secret known only to a few of us whom the captain is willing to trust. But, of course, as you are a faithful member of the band, you will one day share in the benefits of it. I’d like to tell you, but I’m sworn to tell nobody. Your supper is waiting.”
That was something Julian was glad to hear. Uncle Reginald had kept him in such a state of excitement that morning that he had eaten very little breakfast, and he was as hungry as a wolf. Fortunately there was but one door leading out of the stable beside the one at which he had come in, and he knew which way to go to find the living room of the cabin.
Being satisfied now that he could pass himself off anywhere for White-horse Fred, he boldly pushed open the door and found himself in the presence of two rough-looking men, who were stretched out on benches, with their saddles under their heads for pillows.