Page:Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch.djvu/54

44 was talking with. "What you wanter see that looney critter for?'

"Because I'm greatly interested in the Tintacker Mine, and they say this young fellow usually sticks to that locality," replied Ruth, smiling on the big cow puncher. "Don't you think I can learn to ride well enough to travel that far before we return to the East?

"To ride to Tintacker, Miss?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Why, suah, Miss!" cried Ike, cordially. "I'll pick you-all out a nice pony what's well broke, and I bet you'll ride him lots farther than that. I'll rope him now—I know jest the sort of a hawse you'd oughter ride"

"No; you go eat your breakfast with the other boys," laughed Ruth, preparing to go back to the ranchhouse. "Jane Ann says we're all to have ponies to ride and she maybe will be disappointed if I don't let her pick out mine for me," added Ruth, with her usual regard for the feelings of her mates. "But I am going to depend on you, Mr. Ike, to teach me to ride."

"And when you want to ride over to Tintacker tuh interview that yere maverick, yo' let me know, Miss," said Bashful Ike. "I'll see that yuh git thar with proper escort, and all that," and he grinned sheepishly.

Tom and Bob breakfasted with the punchers,