Middletown transcript., 1918-05-25

fire seemed good. But
I'D rather be home," she confessed.
"Sure! I guess you would-natu-
rally. I'll see that you get there.
though 1t won't be easy. It's no snap
to travel these woods in the dark. You
couldn't have been so far from the
Meadows. How did it come you didn't
yell once in a whilsY'
Il didn't think Il was necessary"
Hazel admitted, until it began to get
dark. And then I didn't like to-
He dug some utensils out Of his pack
layout-two plates, knife, fork and
spoons, and laid them by the fire. OPP
posite the meat pot Of water dubbed.
Roaring Bill produced a small tin
bucket, black with the smoke Of many
an open fire. and package. and make
coffee. Then he spread canvas sheet,
and laid on that bread, butter, salt, q
jar of preserved fruit.
"How far is it to Cariboo Meadows?"
Hazel asked.
Bill looked up from his supper prep
arati0ns.
"You've got me-" he returned care
lessly. Probably four or five miles.
I'm not positive; I've been running in
circles myself this afternoon"
"Good heavens!" Hazel exclaimed.
"But you know the way?"
"Like a book-in the daytime" he
replied. 'But night in the timber 10
another story, as you've just been find
ing out for yourself"
81 thought men accustomed to the
wilderness could always find their way
about, day or night" Hazel observed
tartly.
"They can-in stories." Bill an
swered dryly.
She had to be satisfied with his as
surance that he would see her to Carl
boo Meadows. And, accepting the stu
alton with what philosophy she could
command, Hazel proceeded to fall to
and soon discovered herself relishing
the food more than any meal she had
eaten for long time. Hunger is the
king of appetizers, and food cooked In
the open has flavor Of its own which
no aproned chef can duplicate. Roar
ing Bill put half the piece Of meat on
her plate, sliced bread for her, and set
the butter handy. Also, he poured her
q cup of coffee. He had small sack
Of sugar, and his pack boxes yielded
condensed milk.
"What sort of meat is that?" Hazel
asked after a few minutes of silence.
It was fine-grained and of rich fia-
vor strange to her mouth. She liked
it, but it was neither beef, pork nor
mutton, nor any meat she knew.
."Venison. Didn't you ever eat any
before" he smiled.
"Never tasted it." she answered.
'Isn't it nice? No, I've read Of hunters
cooking venison over an open fire. hut
this is my first taste. Indeed, I've
never seen a real camp fire before"
"Lord-what a lot you've missed"
There was real pity in his tone. Il
killed that deer today. Have some
| more coffee"
He refilled her tin cup. and devoted
himself to his food. Before long they
had satisfied their hunger. Bill laid
few dry sticks on the fire. The flames
laid hold of them and shot up In bright,
wavering tongues. It seemed to Hazel
that she had stepped utterly out of her
world. Cariboo Meadows, the school,
house, and her classes seemed remote.
She found herself wishing she were
man, SO that she could fare into the
wilds with horses and a gun in this
capable man fashion, where routine
went by the board and the unexpected
lowered always close at hand. She
looked up suddenly, to find him regard
ing her with whimsical smile.
I'm a few minutes" said he, It'll
pack up and try to deliver you as per
contract. Meantime, I'm going to
| smoke"
He did not ask her permission. but
filled his pipe and lighted it with
coal. And for the succeeding fifteen
minutes Roaring Bill Wagstaff sat
staring into the dancing blaze. Hazel
watched him uneasily after time. He
seemed to have forgotten her. His
pipe died. and he sat holding 1t In his
hand. She was uneasy, but not afraid.
There was nothing about him or his
actions to make her fear. On the con-
trary, Roaring Bill at close quarters
inspired confidence.
In the midst of her reflections he
got up.
"Well, we'll make a move" he said,
and disappeared abruptly into the
darkness.
She heard him moving around at
some distance. Presently he was back,
leading three horses. One he saddled.
The other two he rugged with his pack
outfit, storing his varied belongings In
the two pair Of kayaks, and loading
kyaks and bedding on the horses with
deft speed that bespoke long prac-
tice. He was too busy to talk. and
Hazel sat beside the fire, watching In
silence. When he had tucked up the
last rope end, he turned to her.
There" he said; we're ready to hit
the trail. Can you rider
II don't know" Hazel answered du-
biously. II have never ridden a horse"
my, my!" he smiled. "YOur educa-
ton has been sadly neglected-and You
q schOOlma'a am, tOOw
my walking education hasn't been
neglected" Hazel retorted. II don't
need to ride, thank you"
"Yes, and stub your toe and fall
down every ten feet" Bill observed.
mo, Miss Weir, your first lesson in
Craftsmanship is now due-if you aren't
afraid of horses"
"Tm not afraid Of horses at ALL"
Hazel declared. But don't think it's