Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-10-04

q poS W De CFOSSluB tne VeluC WlCQOuC
a horse?"
"Oh, don't know" the boy answer
ed carelessly. Il walked up from the
coast three months ago. You see, I
didn't have money enough for horse
and good outfit, and needed the out
fit most. Besides, 1 was raised on O
farm and am used to walking. A man
1 met carried my outfit to the mines,
and pegged on behind"
And now you are going back home
empty handed?" the Boer asked, sar-
castically.
mo, indeed quickly. 81 didn't
come here for fun. I'm going to college
some time, and that takes money; and
I've got half dozen brothers and sis
tiers who are planning for different
things. 1t was easiest for me to leave
so all of them put in their savings to-
ward my expenses. OF course don't
expect to get rich," frankly, "but shall
work hard to take back enough to get
us all a good start"
The Boer grunted.
why are you going back, then, with
out your OUTFIT" he demanded.
Got to have something to eat" the
boy answered easily. 81 went to the
mines first, but the only opening was to
work for somebody else or to buy a
claim at fabulous price, so Shout
dered my outfit and struck off pros
pecting l kept it up three weeks, and
now his eyes flashing eagerly into the
grim ones above him, 81 believe I've
found spot that will turn me in lot
of money. But I'm out of provisions
and must go back after a supply.
don't suppose you have any you would
SELF"
NO" shortly, but where's your out
fit?"
ooh, I've concealed that in the sand.
I guess it'll be all right. Anyway,
there was nothing else to do. But
didn't stop you to talk about myself"
coloring little. II wanted to say that
your cattle are awful thirsty. AT home
we would drop everything to furnish
such cattle with water quick"
The Beers face relaxed somewhat.
Even if there was no water between
four days journey?" he asked con-
temptuously. You uitlanders, who
would do all things, can make rivers as
you need them, suppose?"
There is the water course only one
days journey behind you," the boy re-
torted, "and your cattle show they were
not attended to there. No matter the
hurry man may be in, it is crime to
neglect beasts as you have yours"
THE water course behind was dry,
as this is, and as the next one may be-"
the Boer said. my teams have not
had water in three days, and God
knows what may happen If the next
river bed is like this one and the last"
The boys face paled suddenly.
THE river dry" he gasped. "Why,
counted on getting water there. I've
only just enough with me to last one
day" Then he forgot himself in con-
Germ for the cattle
You must turn back toward the
place I've found" he cried authorita-
lively; Its only five or six miles away,
There's hole in the river bed that
has water, and it's thirty yards or
more across and several feet deep. 1t
will be enough to supply your herds
for some weeks. And beyond it are
three or four miles of good grazing
where the soil has not yet became dry.
If you keep on this course the cattle
will all PERISH
The Boer had Strengthened up, pre-
paratory to riding on, but at this he
turned sharply
Water" he cried, "and plenty of it."
He raised his hand to his mouth and
called to the men in front One of
them rode back. To him he gave a
quick, peremptory order. Then he
turned back to the boy.
do you understand what you have
done?" he demanded. This place you
have discovered will need water to
work 1t, and II we use that, as we
doubtless shall, you will lose all the
benefit of your discovery for this sea-
son."
The boy threw back his head as
though to ward off the insinuation.
1.-The cattle need the water more than
the land" he returned. IF the water
is gone when l return with the pro-
visions, l can so and prospect some
where else, and perhaps come back
after the rains set ill., The folks at
home would not want me to put by
money at the expense of suffering"
The Boer leaned down and held out
his hand.
1T is WELL" he said simply. You
will go back to the basin with us. We
do not sell provisions, but we have
plenty which we will give you. And it
may be- with friendly twinkle ban.
ishing the last trace of hardness from
his eyes, that we will be able to ad.
vance the success of your object here"
"Chnmois" Skins.