Page:Bob Chester's Grit.djvu/180

164 to direct the ranchman's attention from himself, he asked:

"Why do you call your dog Chester?"

This question served Bob's purpose better than he could have desired, for it caused the grizzled plainsman to start suddenly.

Instantly recovering himself, however, he countered by demanding sharply:

"What makes you ask that?"

"Because it's such a queer name for a dog."

"Well, he's a queer dog," returned Ford tersely. "Now, come along with that saddle."

As though aware of their purpose, the dog had preceded them from the cabin, but as Ford and Bob stepped forth, he stopped, began to sniff the air and then emitted a long, low growl.

"Somebody's coming," announced the ranchman, pausing and following the direction of the wolfhound's gaze.

Eagerly Bob did the same, and in a few moments beheld a man riding a horse and leading another.

Instantly it flashed to the boy's mind that the horseman was his friend the station agent, who, having learned his destination, had followed, and he exclaimed:

"That's Hal Thomas!"

"What makes you think so?" demanded Ford sharply.