CHAPTER III
A FAREWELL RIDE
His father's announcement rather startled Roy. He had never thoughtmuch of business, outside of that connected with the ranch, and now theidea of endeavoring to ascertain the value of property, and whether theagent of it was doing his duty, came as a sort of shock. But, morethan 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 anytown of more than five thousand inhabitants. He had never, so far ashe knew, taken more than a short ride in a railroad train. I say asfar as he knew, for he had been born in Chicago, but when he was aninfant, his parents had gone out west, so while it was true that he hadlived in a big city, and had made quite a railroad journey, he knewnothing about it, except what his father had told him.
"You want me to go to New York, dad?" he repeated, wondering if he hadheard aright.
"That's it. I want you to find out just exactly what Caleb Annister isdoing."
"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 needsis 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 neednot worry you. If I told you to go back to where the boys wererounding-up the cattle, you could do it; couldn't you?"
"Sure."
"Well, if you can find your way over the trackless plains I guess youcan manage to get along in a big city, even if it is New York. All youhave to do is to ask when you don't understand. I guess if some ofthose city boys came out here, they'd get lost a good deal quicker thanyou will in the streets of New York. Now you had better get ready tostart. I'll draw up some papers, and get some instructions ready foryou. I think Annister is trying to swindle you and me out of thisproperty. If I was well enough I would go myself, but, as it is, Ishall send you."
"Do you think you are well enough for me to leave you?" asked Royanxiously.
"Oh, yes, there is nothing serious the matter with me. I shall have tobe careful of what I eat, that's all, and if I went to New York I'dprobably be worse off than I am here, for I would want to try all sortsof new dishes, and my dyspepsia would be very bad."
"Very well, dad. I'll get ready at once. It sure will be a newexperience for me. I'll round-up this Caleb Annister for you, rope himand put the branding iron on, if I find he's trying to get any of ourmavericks into his herd."
"That's the way to talk!" exclaimed Mr. Bradner. "You're a regularwesterner, Roy. Don't let the ways of city folks bother you. Do thebest you know how, be polite to the ladies, respectful to the men, anddon't let 'em bluff you! Stick up for your rights, and don't be afraidof anybody. They may try to stampede you in New York, but you keepyour 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 atrunk. It was decided he should ride to the nearest railroad station,and there take a train for Chicago, where he would have to change carsfor New York.
In the meanwhile Mr. Bradner drew up a paper giving his son the rightto act in a certain capacity. This was put into legal form, andwitnessed, 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 landthere in New York," said Mr. Bradner that night, "as I have never beenthere. Nor do I know this Caleb Annister. I have had considerablecorrespondence with him, and I take him to be a sharp business man. Hemay try to bluff you, but don't you stand for it. It might be a goodplan 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 hisfather. "You may have to spend considerable money, so I'll give you agood sum in cash, and a draft on my New York bankers. If you get in ahole do the best you can, and telegraph me if you need help. Just campon the trail of this Caleb Annister, and see what his game is. Itdoesn't stand to reason that property in New York is shrinking invalue. I think there is something wrong somewhere, and I depend on youto find it."
"I hope I won't disappoint you, dad."
"I don't believe you will, Roy. Now you had better get to bed, forit'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 didas his father suggested. He could not get to sleep at first thinkingof 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 thesteers, which were turned into a corral for branding purposes. Roytold 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'llgive 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 notstop at the railroad station of Painted Stone unless it was flagged.
A little later a strange procession left the ranch house. Roy andBilly Carew rode at the head, and all the cowboys who could be sparedfollowed after. Roy's trunk and valises were strapped on the back of apack mule.
Mr. Bradner, who was not quite well enough to stand the trip to thestation, bade his son an affectionate good-bye, and wished him allsuccess.
"Telegraph if you get into trouble," he said.
"Yes, and we'll all hot-foot it to the burg of New York, and shoot-upthe town!" exclaimed Billy. "We'll show 'em how a boy from the ranchcan 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 thecowboys rushed their ponies here and there, indulging in all sorts ofantics, for they regarded it as a sort of a holiday, though they likedRoy, and were sorry to see him leave.
"Now boys! Give him a grand salute!" proposed Bruce, when they came insight of the station.
The cowboys drew their revolvers, aimed them into the air, and firedthem off as fast as they could pull their triggers. It sounded asthough a small battle was in progress.
"Give him a yell!" suggested Smoke Tardell, and the ranchers shoutedlike 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 locomotivewas 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 welldone."
"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 othercowboys, as Roy climbed aboard the express. His trunk and valises weretumbled into the baggage car, the engineer blew two short blasts, andthe train was off again, bearing Roy to New York.
His last view was of his father's cowboys, waving a farewell to himwith their big hats, while some fired their revolvers, and othersyelled at the top of their lungs.
"I wonder when I'll see them again," thought Roy. "I sort of hate toleave 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 beforehe again saw his friends, the cowboys.