The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-26

one of the big gray blankets, tent fashion, one end being left open that they might crawl in. Then they went to a neighhor- ing pasture. where the remnant of last years straw stack lay on the ground, and fetched armloads of the straw, which they piled on the ground inside the wig wan. This, with the other blanket, would afford a very comfortable bed.
 ''It's lucky for us your mother put up those blankets" said Frank. surveying the cosy shelter.
 Wed have got on just as well without 'em,' replied Billy. Indians wouldn't have been supplied with such things"
 There you are mistaken" returned Frank. Indians always wear blankets. Why, one blanket makes a whole suit for braye-pants, coat and vest"
 But Indians never had blankets till we introduced them into the country" de- clared Billy, as he hid the basket of luncheon away in the straw of the wig wam.
 "They had other things to take their place" persisted Frank. ''They had anil nal skins.''
 Well, let's get the wood" suggested Billy, not caring to discuss blankets versus skins any further. "We'll want a rousing campfire tonight when we turn in."
 With much energy the two boys, with Bird frisking at their heels, piled up q fine supply of dry wood and bark near the wigwam. Then, pronouncing every thing In 'shipshape," they took up their guns, ammunition and game bag and started on their quest for game.
 About 2 o'clock in the afternoon they paused under friendly shelter of q hay stack to rest. By hookey!' exclaimed Frank. T believe mortimer Is coming See yonderf' And he pointed towards the northwest, where, banked against the horizon, lay long, ominous looking black cloud. Bet we'll have to foot 1t for home."
 Suppose we were real Indians, and the only home we had was that afforded by the hills and trees,' asked Billy. For one, veto the proposition to go home on account of a smell of snow. I've come to rough it today and tonight, and I mean to stick 1t out
 too oWgeil, ger:,. I'll stand stand by you unless t gets blamed If l want to whoop-big jun whoop-it through blizzard. But. say. now many quail have weY'
 Billy poured the birds from the bag and counted nine quails and four prairie chickens. "A pretty fair bag" he said. lem brolled right now declared Frank. T move we go back to camp"
 That strikes me fayorably." soid Biily' for I'm as hungry us Sioux chief just fresh from a days nassacre
 As they proceeded campward the clouds began to thicken overhead, and the wind, which had suddenly risen, carried with 1t an icy touch. ~
 We're not very far from camp" said Billy. Yonder Is our farmhouse" But the. distance was greater than 1t looked to be, and when, after nearly an hours brisk walk, the boys turned from the road towards the. clump of trees that marked the spot of their destination they were. cold, weary and half-starved
 Home at last " joyfully exclaimed frank, dividing some underbrush so that thy they vn mgnr maze snort ap cut through to
 But both boys stopped short, their eyes wide with wonder. On the spot where they, had piled wood for the evening lire smoldered a few embers in a heap of white ashes The framework of the wiz. wan stood open and bare, the blanket having disappeared.
 Gee whiz ? calculated Frank. Some rascal has swiped our real estate.'
 Some sneaking tramp, 1 bet P said Billy, his eyes flashing angrlly. Look there there-hes at,anod eaten the grub r And he
 
 which lay upside down on the straw,
 And the villain has taken both blan- kets cried Frank. See, tue one we had
 "He even made and drank up all the coffee Y roared Billy, picking up the little, recently smoked, tin coffee pot and an empty tin can that smelled. of fragrant ground coffee.
 'Yes, he's left nothing that the stomach could digest or the body wear" said Frank, looking about on the desolated
 Wish l could lay hands on him F And Billy doubled up his fists into hard knots and wrinkled his brow into threatening scowl. I'd scalp him v
 Well. the worst thing about 1t Is the loss of the blankets said Frank. Didn't l tell you q blizzard was heading thls
 And so 1t was, the air being full of cut ting sleet and snow, which was thickening every minute. But there's no use going went on. We must fix up the fire and get warm. I'm as stiff as an icicle."
 "Som r., confessed Billy, blowing on his red hands to warm them and jumping I've an idea, Frank" he added "s'pose l go up to that farmhouse and swap the lady of the house a brace of prairie chick ems for cup of ground coffee, a little salt and piece of bread. Eh7"
 Good idea" acquiesced Frank. And you might throw in couple of quails for some old gunnysacks or wagon cover to very appetizing eaten in such a snow- storm as this. The grub would freeze solid on the way from the fire to your mouth. I'll gather fresh wood while you are of trading with the paefaces."
 Both boys laughed merrily over the situ- ation, which was now appealing to their over his shoulder. hurried to the farm house, about a quarter of a mile distant. As he stood knocking at the front door, the Loneliness of the place. No dog parked at his intrusion. no chickens walked about