Ross had already seen them, but he had said nothing.

The keen eyes of the shiftless one were not at fault for a moment.
"Paul Cotter an' Henry Ware," he said.
"Yes," said Tom Ross.
"And Paul's just about done up." "Yes," said Tom Ross.
"Looks like they've had a big fight or a big run, one or t'other or both." "Yes," said Tom Ross.
Then all went forward to meet the two boys, so well known to them.

Paul was staggering a little, and there was a high color, as of fever, in his face, but Henry showed signs of neither fatigue nor excitement.
"We're glad to find you," said Henry briefly.
"We're glad, awful glad!" began Paul, with more fervor; but he suddenly reeled, and everything grew dim about him.

Shif'less Sol caught him.
"Here, Paul," he said, "stand up.

You're a heavy weight for a tired man to hold." His words were rough, but his tone was kindly.