A FAREWELL RIDE
His father's announcement rather startled Roy. He had never thought
much of business, outside of that connected with the ranch, and now the
idea of endeavoring to ascertain the value of property, and whether the
agent of it was doing his duty, came as a sort of shock. But, more
than this, was the idea of going to a big city.
In all his life, as far as he could remember, Roy had never been in any
town of more than five thousand inhabitants. He had never, so far as
he knew, taken more than a short ride in a railroad train. I say as
far as he knew, for he had been born in Chicago, but when he was an
infant, his parents had gone out west, so while it was true that he had
lived in a big city, and had made quite a railroad journey, he knew
nothing about it, except what his father had told him.
"You want me to go to New York, dad?" he repeated, wondering if he had
heard aright.
"That's it. I want you to find out just exactly what Caleb Annister is
doing."
"But, I have had no experience in those lines."
"I know you have not, but I think you can do what I want. All it needs
is brains and common sense, and you have both."
"But I have never been in a big city."
"No, not since you were old enough to notice anything, but that need
not worry you. If I told you to go back to where the boys were
rounding-up the cattle, you could do it; couldn't you?"
"Sure."
"Well, if you can find your way over the trackless plains I guess you
can manage to get along in a big city, even if it is New York. All you
have to do is to ask when you don't understand. I guess if some of
those city boys came out here, they'd get lost a good deal quicker than
you will in the streets of New York. Now you had better get ready to
start. I'll draw up some papers, and get some instructions ready for
you. I think Annister is trying to swindle you and me out of this
property. If I was well enough I would go myself, but, as it is, I
shall send you."
"Do you think you are well enough for me to leave you?" asked Roy
anxiously.
"Oh, yes, there is nothing serious the matter with me. I shall have to
be careful of what I eat, that's all, and if I went to New York I'd
probably be worse off than I am here, for I would want to try all sorts
of new dishes, and my dyspepsia would be very bad."
"Very well, dad. I'll get ready at once. It sure will be a new
experience for me. I'll round-up this Caleb Annister for you, rope him
and put the branding iron on, if I find he's trying to get any of our
mavericks into his herd."
"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed Mr. Bradner. "You're a regular
westerner, Roy. Don't let the ways of city folks bother you. Do the
best you know how, be polite to the ladies, respectful to the men, and
don't let 'em bluff you! Stick up for your rights, and don't be afraid
of anybody. They may try to stampede you in New York, but you keep
your head, and you'll come out all right."
"I'll try, dad. When do you want me to start?"
"To-morrow, if you can. The boys will be in from the round-up then."
That day Roy spent in getting his clothes packed in a big valise and a
trunk. It was decided he should ride to the nearest railroad station,
and there take a train for Chicago, where he would have to change cars
for New York.
In the meanwhile Mr. Bradner drew up a paper giving his son the right
to act in a certain capacity. This was put into legal form, and
witnessed, a near-by notary being called in to attach his seal.
"Of course I don't know exactly how you will find the lay of the land
there in New York," said Mr. Bradner that night, "as I have never been
there. Nor do I know this Caleb Annister. I have had considerable
correspondence with him, and I take him to be a sharp business man. He
may try to bluff you, but don't you stand for it. It might be a good
plan to size him up first, before you tell him who you are."
"That's what I'll do, dad."
"You'll have to make your own plans when you get there," went on his
father. "You may have to spend considerable money, so I'll give you a
good sum in cash, and a draft on my New York bankers. If you get in a
hole do the best you can, and telegraph me if you need help. Just camp
on the trail of this Caleb Annister, and see what his game is. It
doesn't stand to reason that property in New York is shrinking in
value. I think there is something wrong somewhere, and I depend on you
to find it."
"I hope I won't disappoint you, dad."
"I don't believe you will, Roy. Now you had better get to bed, for
it's quite late, and you'll have a hard journey ahead of you."
Roy did not feel a bit tired, for he was hardy and strong, but he did
as his father suggested. He could not get to sleep at first thinking
of his prospective trip, for he had always wanted to go to a big city,
and now he had the chance.
Billy Carew and the other cowboys came in the next morning with the
steers, which were turned into a corral for branding purposes. Roy
told his friends of his journey.
"Prancing prairie dogs!" exclaimed Billy. "I wish I was going.
Lickity thunder, but that's a great trip, clear to New York!"
"We'll ride to the station with you," proposed Bruce Arkdell. "We'll
give you a good send off!"
"That's what we will!" chorused the others.
Roy was to start soon after dinner, as the Chicago express would not
stop at the railroad station of Painted Stone unless it was flagged.
A little later a strange procession left the ranch house. Roy and
Billy Carew rode at the head, and all the cowboys who could be spared
followed after. Roy's trunk and valises were strapped on the back of a
pack mule.
Mr. Bradner, who was not quite well enough to stand the trip to the
station, bade his son an affectionate good-bye, and wished him all
success.
"Telegraph if you get into trouble," he said.
"Yes, and we'll all hot-foot it to the burg of New York, and shoot-up
the town!" exclaimed Billy. "We'll show 'em how a boy from the ranch
can be took care of!"
"I guess there'll be no need of that," remarked Roy with a smile.
It was several miles to the railroad station, and, on the way the
cowboys rushed their ponies here and there, indulging in all sorts of
antics, for they regarded it as a sort of a holiday, though they liked
Roy, and were sorry to see him leave.
"Now boys! Give him a grand salute!" proposed Bruce, when they came in
sight of the station.
The cowboys drew their revolvers, aimed them into the air, and fired
them off as fast as they could pull their triggers. It sounded as
though a small battle was in progress.
"Give him a yell!" suggested Smoke Tardell, and the ranchers shouted
like wild Indians.
"Here comes the train!" called Billy Carew, as a whistle was heard,
and, down the long line of glistening rails, the smoke of a locomotive
was seen. The station agent went out to flag the express.
"Take care of yourself," advised Bruce.
"Bring me back a slice of New York," requested Smoke. "I want it well
done."
"Be careful you don't get 'well-done', Roy," advised Billy Carew.
"Don't buy any gold bricks, or Confederate money, and take care, Roy,
that them sharpers don't git ye!"
He waved his big sombrero, an example followed by all the other
cowboys, as Roy climbed aboard the express. His trunk and valises were
tumbled into the baggage car, the engineer blew two short blasts, and
the train was off again, bearing Roy to New York.
His last view was of his father's cowboys, waving a farewell to him
with their big hats, while some fired their revolvers, and others
yelled at the top of their lungs.
"I wonder when I'll see them again," thought Roy. "I sort of hate to
leave the old ranch, but I'm glad I'm going to New York."
He did not know all that was before him, nor what was to happen before
he again saw his friends, the cowboys.