Hank Snogger had gone forward, to care for the mail from the Merwell ranch.
"Hello, you here!" cried Link, stepping forward and confronting Dave.
"I am," was the cool answer.
"Got here ahead of me, eh ?" "So it would seem." "Going to make a spread out here, I suppose," went on Link, with a sneer.

"Paint the plains red, and all that." "I came for a good time, but I don't intend to paint anything red." "Bah, I know you, Dave Porter! You want to crow over everybody, no matter where you go.

But you'll find things are different out here from what they were at Oak Hall," added the bully, significantly.

"You can't pull the wool over people's eyes here like you did there." "I have no more intention of pulling wool than I have of painting anything red," answered Dave, as calmly as before.

He could see that Link was in a bad humor and spoiling for a fight.
"I said I was going to get square with you, and I am," continued the bully, loudly.
"You keep your distance, Link Merwell," answered Dave, and now his tone was sharper.