During the driver's absence, Simms explained to the young stranger why
he was so anxious about getting the man from Carew's Camp away from Oak
Creek that afternoon.
"You see, my boy, these nights about this burg when the miners and cow-
boys have had their pay, are one Bedlam. Decent folks lock their doors
and windows and never show a light that might attract any insanely
drunken miner. That's why I want you far on your road to camp before
these rough foreigners come to town. Jake would revel in a wild night
of it, but he'd get fired when Carew heard of it."
The young man smiled but the girls were anxious to make the most of the
few minutes left before Jake returned for the Tenderfoot, so Eleanor
began the moment Simms concluded.
"When do you suppose Jim Latimer and you can come to Pebbly Pit to
call?"
"Never having met the Boss of the Crew, and not being acquainted with
distances from camp to the ranch, I couldn't say. But Jim ought to be
able to judge, and to decide on a day. We could then write you,
couldn't we?"
"Don't forget, Nolla, that we have our hands full of important work on
Top Notch Trail, for an indefinite time," was Polly's warning.
"Oh, I didn't forget that, but it won't keep us busy more than a few
days," returned Eleanor.
"That reminds me, Simms! Did you say you would take care of that wire
to John?" asked Mr. Brewster, turning to the lawyer. "Yes; I'll send a
trustworthy man down the line when the train comes back for Denver, and
he can send his message couched so that no wise guy will understand
what it means, from some telegraph office a distance from Oak Creek,"
said Simms.
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