Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-29


soberly; 'but. from a different standpoint
how exceedingly romantic and picturesqu
these old ranches are! There's no signs stucl
Cites ti p ~ 'Ae FiA's' AA '
There isn't any grass to keep off of,
said Rob-, still somewhat mystified by tn
manner of the man.
Mountain. $50. in reality, the difference be
tween this region and city is not SO great
after ALL"
But Rob Archer had no heart for bantering
His mind was back in the little log hous
where his gentle, lowing mother. who ha,
petted her frail boy even to his own hurt
was praying for the safety and well-being o
her frst-born.
They made slow progress during the fore
noon, and at ten o'clock halted by the road
side to satisfy the cravings of hunger. 1
fire soon sparkled and cracked cheerily, send
ing its wreaths of smoke upward, and its hea
upon the assembled group The kettle hum
med and steamed in the bright blaze, an.
even the frying salt pork sent forth CRATE
full odor.
Rob had eaten little IN the last thirty-si;
hours. and nature had at last asserted he
rights. and he ate heartily of the coarse fare
1t revived his dropping strength and spirits.
The black tea tasted fairly delicious as h
slipped it from tin dipper.
While the horses were munching their oats
an old, gr1zzled veteran, called Zeb Doe
sang song. His voice was strong and full
and the sounds echoed and re-echoed through
the forest.
After the last refrain had died away, som
one asked for another song.
For moment there was no response. Thel
a voice of marvellous sweetness and powe
burst forth. 1t was Rocky Mountain. and h
sang 'Bingen on the Rhine" as those aroun'
him had never heard it sung before.
Az ita close Zah noa rrra cr,od hin, hu th
head. Tears were upon Zeb's rugged face.
"My boy used to sing that afore he died,
he said, brokenly. "though he couldn't sin
as you kin. That was fne--that was-was =
The old man was at a loss for words.
ga year ago last spring." replied Zeb. I'll
logs on jam an didn't live no time"
All the men, with the exception of Bi
McGregor, expressed their. appreciation @
for another song.
But he declined; and Black Bill soon afte
announced that the horses were done eating
and they had best be moving.
Every little brook and stream they ha
crossed was excessively swollen by the heav
rain, and Mr.. Stoddard grew more and NOR
concerned about the feasibility of crossin
Bull Creek
"There's chance here to turn off an g
up north to the Sawyer Road. What do y
LnlnK ne dSktu, as Dill nn1SneQ puLCln
the brides upon the horses.
'I think it's all nonsense" replied tn
dark-visaged teamster. eff we go that way
we can't git to camp today, an we'n hav
to. camp out tonight. But do as ye're a
minter."
''Ef We think" began Mr.. Stoddard.
But Black Bill interrupted shortly.
''Ef I think" he repeated. II don't thinl
at all. know. ! kin git through without
mite of trouble"
"All right"
And Mr.. Stoddard turned away, thougl
Reddy White who overheard the converse
tion, said to Zeb Doe:
''Heu find it mighty hard pu1lin' to gi
through the creek with the head O. wate
that must be runnin'"
Pears as though it must be resky," an
swered Zeb; "but Bills stubborner'n a null
when he once gets sot. He was to blam
fer my poor Jim's gettin' killed, cause b
stumped the boy to ride the jam at Sewell'
Rips Bill kim through all right; but poo
Jim lost his feet when about halfway through
The logs was whirliR an rollin', an ther
wasn't no hope for him when he once wen
down."
The old man rubbed his coarse sleeve acros
his eyes, as his mind dwelt upon his terribl
affiiction, and Rob's heart beat with tende
sT never saw any river driving, and dom
think I'd like it" said Rocky Mountain, VIII
was also visibly affected by the old man