Riding for a little way along the top of the ridge that forms the western edge of the valley, Patches looked down upon the red roofs of the buildings of the home ranch, and smiled as he thought of the welcome that awaited him there at the close of his day’s work.  The Dean and Stella, with Little Billy, and Phil, and the others of the home circle, had grown very dear to this strong man of whom they still knew nothing; and great as was the change in his outward appearance and manner, the man himself knew that there were other changes as great.  Honorable Patches had not only acquired a name and a profession, but in acquiring them he had gained something of much greater worth to himself.  And so he was grateful to those who, taking him on trust, had helped him more than they knew.

He had left the ridge, and was half way across the flat toward the corrals, when Little Billy, spurring old Sheep in desperate energy, rode wildly out to meet him.

As the lad approached, he greeted his big friend with shrill, boyish shouts, and Patches answered with a cowboy yell which did credit to his training, while Stranger, with a wild, preliminary bound into the air, proceeded, with many weird contortions, to give an exhibition which fairly expressed his sentiments.

Little Billy grinned with delight.  “Yip!  Yip!  Yee-e-e!” he shrilled, for Stranger’s benefit.  And then, as the big horse continued his manifestations, the lad added the cowboy’s encouraging admonition to the rider.  “Stay with him, Patches!  Stay with him!”

Patches laughingly stayed with him.  “What you aimin’ to do, pardner”—­he asked good-naturedly, when Stranger at last consented to keep two feet on the ground at the same time—­“tryin’ to get me piled?”

“Shucks!” retorted the youngster admiringly.  “I don’t reckon anything could pile you, now.  I come out to tell you that we got company,” he added, as, side by side, they rode on toward the corrals.

Patches was properly surprised.  “Company!” he exclaimed.

Little Billy grinned proudly.  “Yep.  He’s a man—­from way back East somewhere.  Uncle Will brought him out from town.  They got here just after dinner.  I don’t guess he’s ever seen a ranch before.  Gee! but won’t we have fun with him!”

Patches face was grave as he listened.  “How do you know he is from the East, Billy?” he asked, concealing his anxious interest with a smile at his little comrade.

“Heard Uncle Will tell Phil and Kitty.”

“Oh, Kitty is at the house, too, is she?”

Billy giggled.  “She an’ Phil’s been off somewheres ridin’ together most all day; they just got back a while ago.  They was talkin’ with the company when I left.  Phil saw you when you was back there on the ridge, an’ I come on out to tell you.”

Phil and Kitty were walking toward their horses, which were standing near the corral fence, as Patches and Little Billy came through the gate.