Page:Edward Ellis--Alden the Pony Express Rider.djvu/184

 back,” said Jethro; “I doan’ think any ob dem folks keers ’bout seeing me.”

Alden did not object, and had hardly swung out of the saddle to the ground, when two men came forward to greet him. One was unusually tall, the other of medium height and both wore heavy beards. The youth scanned them closely, in the partial obscurity, but neither was Mr. Chadwick. They cordially greeted the visitor and invited him to go forward and join in their meal. Most of the group were gathered around the “festal board,” which happened just then to be their blankets spread on the green grass.

‘T thank you,” replied Alden, “but my servant and myself partook just before leaving our own camp. This is really a business rather than a social call.”

“In what way can we serve you?”

“I have a letter which I shall be glad if you will hand to a member of your party.”

Alden drew out his note book and took the folded paper from between the pages.

“Perhaps it will be better if I give it to Mr. Chadwick and ask him to hand it to his nephew Ross Brandley. I owe a call to Mr. Chadwick.”