Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-17

journeyed, hardly needing, in the excitement
OF the first day of the trip, the heat of the
sun, until. at two o'clock, Bart proposed Q
halt for dinner, to which the boys assented
you might as well get the hang of taking
care of the animals first as lasto said the
guide, as he made preparation for building a
fre, the halt having been made in little
small stream. while ' Pm I'm coz cooking king some @
bacon for dinner, you unsaddle and unload
and give the burros chance to get a bite OF
sage brush"
:, The boys were more than willing to make
sner trst camp in true hunter style; there
fore, the donkeys we're quickly relieved of their
burdens, and, with long lariat trailing from
Ie Ine neck OF each one to aid in catching the
little animal when he should be needed, the
puIros were turned loose, to feed upon the dry
LOOKING, but really succulent sage brush.
Kirk and Dory were more tired than Bart,
although they had been riding and he walk
ing, and they were only too well pleased to
be able to throw themselves down under the
shade of the tree to rest.
After the wellcooked dinner had been eaten,
Bart began to make preparations for immedi-
ate departure; but both the boys urged that
they be allowed to rest awhile longer, and the
guide consented.
As matter of fact, Bart looked upon this
trip as nothing more than one of pleasure for
tne poys, exactly as Mr.. Sheldon viewed it,
and he could see no difference whether time
was spent in one place or another. Had they
proposed to stay where they were for a week
1t don't make any difference to me where
we, we camp, he, said, as he re-flled his pipe.
wen stop wherever and whenever you say
Providing, Pr Of course, that it's where we're not
hkeiy to get into trouble"
There isn't much chance that we shall
come to any place. where we're likely to get
into trouble-that is, on the short trip we're
manklng,N said Kirk, carelessly.
bart made no reply. He knew that the
tramp across the range might easily prove
dangerous one; but, as it would be of no use
to startle the boys while they were vet in
place of safety, he held his peace.
1t was two hours before either Kirk or Dory
was ready to continue the journey, and thei,
all three started out in search Of the burros.
6eheving that they should find them in the
immediate vicinity. But much to the surprise
of even Bart, nothing could be seen of the
ANIMALS that should have been quietly feeding
within few yards of the stream.
After search had been made through all
the ciumps of trees or bushes within radius
OF quarter of mile, Bart said, in a tone Of
vexation.
II ought to be kicked for making fool Of
myself at the start. If we'd been using the
donkeys for two or three weeks, there would
MT have been any chance of their clearing ont:
but; as IT 49, they're not tired, and have gone
baeH .sSuto4!S to Ganon ion City, most likely"
for, by thus losing the burros at the start
it seemed as if their failure even to eet among
the mountains was certain.
:, Ihere amt much for you two to do" re-
Piled PPli, Bart, ,grimly. ITS all my fault, and
IN do the best can to repair it. You 20
back to where the outfit is and wait for me-
What are you going to do?"
Walk back to Canon City and find those
contounded burros. I always did hate the
little brutes, and / don't have any reason nnw
to bear them any particular good will But
don't you fear but that I'll find 'em NAV
not be back until tomorrow morning. and Il
L m not. all you've got to do is to put I'M the
tent and make yourselves as comfortable AZ
you can" "s
Without saying anything more, Bart set ont
with a long stride that promised to bring him
quickly to his unforeseen journeys end and
the boys returned to the camping nlace iu d;s.
posed to look upon the matter in a more ser;-
GUS light than did the guide. 'e
AS 1t was possible that Bart MIGHT find tha
missing burros and return before dark XII
the tent. o hos pi1ch
short time before sunset the STAGE from,
canon, City, bound for Rosita and Silver Cliff
came py, laden with passengers, but no word
Vas tSs lelt by the driver from Bart, as they had
after the short twilight came profound
darkness, the clouds in the sky obscurino
even the light of the stars, and there could
no longer be any question but that they wonld
De ophged to pass the night in that place.
NH DTTD TT