Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-10-24
"No," MISS Weir, your nrsr 1essun m
Craftsmanship is now due-if you aren't

'No," Miss weir, your nrsr 1essun m
craftsmanship is now due-if you aren't
afraid Of horses"
"Tm not afraid of horses at ALL"
Hazel declared. "But I don't think it's
a very good place to take riding les
sons. I can just as well walk, for I'm
not in the least afraid" And then she
added as an afterthought: "How do
you happen to know my name?"
"In the same way that you know
mine," Bill replied, "even if you haven't
mentioned it yet. Lord bless you, do
you suppose Cariboo Meadows could
import a lady school teacher from the
civilized East without everybody in
fifty miles knowing who she was, and
where she came from, and what she
looked like? I guess you don't realize
what old granny gossips We wild West
erners are. Especially where girls are
concerned" .
Hazel stiffened q trifie. She did
not like the idea of Cariboo Meadows
discussing her with such freedom.
"Well," said he, 1--WE won't argue the
point"
He disappeared into the dark again.
This time he came back with the
crown of his hat full of water, which
he sprinkled over the dwindling fire.
AS the red glow Of the embers faded
in a sputter Of steam and ashes, Hazel
realized more profoundly the blackness
Of a cloudy night in the woods.
"It's going to be nasty travelling,
Miss Weir" Roaring Bill spoke at her
elbow. "I'il walk and lead the packs.
You 1lde Silk. He's gentle. All you
have to do is sit still, and he'll stay
right behind the packs. I'll help you
mount"
If Hazel had still been inclined to in
sist on walking, she had no chance to
debate the question. Bill took her by
the arm and led her up beside the
horse. 1t was a unique experience for
her, this being compelled to do things.
No man had ever issued ultimatums to
her. But here was Roaring Bill Wag'
staff telling her how to put her foot in
the stirrup, putting her for the first
time in her life astride a horse, warn
ing her to duck low branches. In his
mind there seemed to he no question
as to whether or not she would ride
He had settled that.
Unused to mounting, she blunderet
at the first attempt, and flushed in thu
dark at Bills amused chuci@a. Thu
next instant he caught her under thu
arms, and, with the leverage of he.
one foot in the stirrup, set her gent.
in the seat of the saddle.
"You're such a little person." h
said, "these stirrups are a mile to-
: long. I Put your feet in the leathe
above-so. Now play follow you
leader. Give Silk his head"
He moved away. Obedient to Bill
command, she let the reins dangle, an
Silk followed close behind his mates
: Hazel Slurched ~unsteadily at first, bu
presently she caught the swinging mo
ton and could maintain her balanc
without holding stiffly to the saddl
] horn. -v-..y- $50
The night seemed endless as the vii
: derness' itself. Unused to riding, sh
i DeSeule SoIt, anu IHeu tHe SOle Illus
+ cles stiffened. The chill of the nigh
air intensified. She grew cold, he
fingers numb. She did not know wher
she was going. and she was assaile
with doubts of Roaring Bills ability t
S find Cariboo Meadows.
"Mr. Wagstaffw she called.
"Yours truly" his voice hailed bach
away to one side. "Tn be there in
- minute" aa,-
I In less time he appeared beside hel
e "yYill you fall OF, or be lifted off?
he said cheerfully.
d "NNhere are we?" she demanded.
"Ask me something easy" he re
d turned. give been going it blind fo
s an hour, trying to hit the Soda Cree