Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-11
They prepared their lunch together.


night. A campfire was built. over
which George made tea and cooked
some eggs. The treasures of 'Lisbeth's
basket were fully explored, the mare
was embarrassed and tied out to grass,
for there was little dried grass out
side the pasture bars, though very little
inside. Then the boys got their blankets
and sat about the FIRE talking vaguely
as he twilight deepened and the stars
CANE out. Both seemed happy, bat
Alec was almost ecstatic. When, a little
later. they made their rude beds on the
wagon bottom, he lay awake a long
time looking up into the clear. still sky.
Never before had he slept under the
open stars. and now with regret he
wished fortune had not always provided
him with a bed in those first struggling
days.
The next day they were securing the
woods, each searching in q different d.
rection for the missing cattle. 1t was
one OF those warm October days when
the sunshine seems ycllowest of all
the year. A few rustling dead leaves
futtered underfoot, and dry branches
broke, while partridges started up ON
every side, winging low along the
ground or running with lowered heads.
Here end there one migE. catch glimyses
up the gorges of the mountains, reveal
ing q splendor ard gorgeousness that
must remain in memory till death of
even the most unimaginative. II seemed
as if Dame Nature were a fine lady in
specting the most sumptuous materials
for her winters dresses, and here they
were spread out before her in magnifi-
cent abundance. as il this were the
warehouse Of the gods. Fold on fold
they lay high up the mountain sides and
down the gorges. now red, now yellow,
green or brown.
Suddenly Alec came out on q little
lake, held in lofty niche between
great lodges. The dry leaves fluttered
ON its edges. ripples from falling twigs
or insects or an obstreperous frog ran
playfully and lightly over its smooth
surface, and it looked so cool and calm
and cleari And there yonder, standing
in the edge of the water. were five of
the cattle. The sight Of them called
Alec to his senses. and Immediately he
was racing after them as well as he
could for the unevenness Of the ground
and the tripping branches underfoo..
He had not much difficulty in driving
them toward the bars. for they seemed
inclined OF themselves to 60 in that di-
rectiou. But u was near u mile and n
half, so the sun stood at full noon when
Alec and George met once more. and
having rounded in the cattle they had
found they prepared their lunch together.
Only three Of the herd were lacking.
and these they hoped to find in part
Of the pasture yet unvisited.
But George seemed very sober in
deed. and scarcely spoke. Alec missed
his free, frank. cordial tone, and was
vaguely distressed, though he coald
make out no reason.
As soon as luncheon was finished they
started out again. Alec wandered all
the afternoon. finding nothing Of the
cattle. but plenty else to enjoy. But as
the sun sank out Of sight awsv scrtrs
the valley behind the Green mountains.
he heard a long shrill whistle from
George. and hurried toward il N rand.
" n he could. II was half an hour be.
fore he reached the barn, but here be
found George and the missing cattle.
So at daylight the next morning tbey
would be ready 60 start fcr home.
. George was tacitrrn - e~c-. al--
: was cppress ed but rallied hin O bein-