Bill Lefton looked at him quickly, but Teddy’s head was turned away. He seemed to be intent on some object down the gully. The five riders swung about, and, led by Mob Jamisson, made their way slowly along the steep side of the ravine. After a short journey they turned sharp right, and ascended. During the ride Teddy had an opportunity to study his companions. The Lefton boys he had met several times before, and a more intimate acquaintance had not increased his liking for them. He realized, of course, that they had earned the gratitude of himself and Roy. But he could not free his mind from a vague distrust of them. This Mob Jamisson, now--Teddy had never seen before, but he had heard of him. Among the cattle ranches his reputation was none too savory. There were certain incidents of strange marking of cows, of selling diseased stock, in which his name had figured. Nothing definite, but in the West a rumor of that sort usually has some basis in fact. Teddy wondered how the Lefton brothers had met him. Then he recalled that they were new to this section, and, like as not, had run across him accidently. It seemed well to give them the benefit of the doubt. Whatever had been Roy’s motive in accepting the invitation to visit the Lefton camp was not brought out as they rode along. The talk was purely general--of weather conditions, of the possibility of the wolves returning. All agreed that it would be a good thing to chase the beasts out of that region as soon as possible. They were a constant menace to man and cattle. The conversation that followed continued until the camp was reached, and as they sighted the three pup tents, darkness was fast approaching. “We’ve been making this our headquarters for a while,” Jerry Lefton explained, as he saw the look of surprise on the faces of Teddy and Roy. “You see, Bill and I may locate here permanently, and we wanted to get a look at the country.” Even this, thought Roy, was scarcely a reason for staying out on the prairie when much more comfortable accommodations could be had at Eagles. But he kept his thoughts to himself and accepted the explanation at its face value. “Better let me look at yore bronc’s laig,” Mob Jamisson suggested. He dismounted, as did the others, and raised Flash’s front foot. The horse shied slightly, but when Teddy put a hand on his neck he stood quietly. “She’s sprained, but not bad,” Mob pronounced. “Won’t hurt to ride him. Fact is, it’ll keep it from gettin’ stiff.” “That’s how I figured,” Teddy answered. “So I reckon we’d better be getting along home. I guess we won’t have any more trouble with the wolves.” “Stay and have some grub with us,” Jerry said loudly. “You’ll miss your supper anyhow, and there’s no sense ridin’ on an empty stomach. What say?” “I guess we’d better--” Teddy began, when Roy interrupted. “Sure we’ll stay! I’m hungry, I don’t mind saying. If you like, we’ll pay you for whatever we eat.”