The Benson signal. [volume] (Benson, Cochise County, Ariz.) 1915-1921, 1918-10-19

dering around in the woods at night?
Good Lord! Your teeth are chattering
Sit down here and get warm. 1t is sort
of chilly"
Even in her fear, born Of the night,
the circumstances, and partly of the
man, Hazel noticed that his speech was
| of different order from that to which
she had bee" '':'+oning the past ten
days. His ton was perfect.
He dropped nv word endings nor
slurred his syllables. And cast in so
odd mold is the mind of civilized
woman that the small matter of little
refinement Of speech put Hazel Weir
more at her ease than volume Of
explanation or protest on his part
would have done.
II got lost" she explained, growing
suddenly calm. ~ was out walking,
and lost my way"
"Easy thing to do when you don't
know TIMBER" Bill remarked. sand in
consequence you haven't had any sup
per; you've been scared almost to
death-and probably all of Cariboo
Meadows Is out looking for you. Well.
you've had an adventure. That's worth
something. Better eat bite, and
you'll feel better"
He turned over the piece of meat on
the Goals while he spoke. Hazel saw
that it lay on two green sticks, like
steak on a gridiron. 1t was quite
simple, but she would never have
thought Of that. The meat exhaled
savory odors. Also, the warmth of the
fire seemed good. But
"Sure! 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 1t come you didn't
yell once In q while?"
II didn't think it was necessary"
Hazel admitted. until it began to get
dark. And then 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 a canvas sheet,
and laid on that bread, butter, salt,
Jar of preserved fruit.
| allow far is 1t to Carlboo Meadows?'
Hazel asked.
Bill looked up from his supper prep
arations.
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 Is
another story, as you've just been find
ing out for yourself"
II 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 situ-
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 a 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
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.
1t was fine-grained and Of rich fla
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, nut
this is my first taste. Indeed, I've
never seen a real camp fire before"
"Lord-what a lot you've missedl'
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. 1t 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 a
man, so that she could fare into the
wilds with horses and 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.
GsJn Fou yuinutoc said no "T'l1