"I mean I'll tell every one connected with Bar U ranch. We'll take the
wind out of the sails of Molick, Wasson and their like. We won't have them
sneering at us. I'll tell the men here."

"I fancy Pocus Pete knows something about it," Dave said. "He must have
heard what Whitey and Len said to me."

"Well, we'll tell him the whole story. It's no disgrace."

And this was done. Soon all the cowboys on Bar U ranch knew the story, and
talk buzzed around concerning it. But no one thought the less of Dave. In
fact his friends and those of Mr. Carson were warmer than before. Then the
matter was tacitly dropped, and was never mentioned among the cowboys of
Bar U ranch.

For a time the knowledge hurt Dave cruelly. Then he grew more accustomed
to it. But though he called Mr. Carson "Dad" there was more or less of
reserve. And Dave found himself many times, wondering who his real parents
could be.

"Some day I may find out," he said.

There was much to do at the ranch, from rounding up cattle, looking after
strays and branding, to making shipments. Dave found his time fully
occupied, and he saw little of Len and his crony. But one day Len and Dave
had a "run-in." Dave, who was riding range, came upon Len in the act of
beating his horse. It seems the animal had stepped into a hole and thrown
the bully, who, in retaliation, mistreated the animal shamefully.