Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1918-10-24

AAO" SAAAOSAS LII hCus AIN LII
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 a 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 a
steak on a gridlron. 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
STD rather be home" she confessed.
"Sure! 1 guess you would-natu-
rally. I'll see that you get there,
though it 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 while?"
II didn't think it 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 a pot of water dubbed.
Roaring Bill produced a small tin
bucket, black with the smoke Of many
an open fire, and a package, and make
coffee. Then he spread a canvas sheet,
and laid on that bread, butter, salt, a
jar of preserved fruit.
"How far is it to Cariboo 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 q book-in the daytime" he
replied. "But night in the timber is
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 Cart
boo Meadows. And, accepting the stu
alton with what philosophy she coulc
command, Hazel proceeded to fall to-
and soon discovered herself relishins
the food more than any meal she hat
eaten for a long time. Hunger is tn
king of appetizers, and food cooked il
the open has a flavor Of it's own which
no aproned chef can duplicate. Roar
ing Bill put half the piece of meat OF
/ her plate, sliced bread for her, and Sc
, the butter handy. Also, he poured he
a cup of coffee. He had a small sacl
of sugar, and his pack boxes yielde'
, condensed milk.
"ITlat sort of meat is that?" Haze
asked after a few minutes Of silence
It was fine-grained and of a rich fla
vor strange to her mouth. She like
it but it was neither beef, pork no
: mutton, MOI any meat she knew.
, "Venison. Didn't you ever eat an
b%efore?" he smiled.
"Never tasted it," she answered
: "Isn't ii nice? No, I've read of hunter
cooking venison over an open fire, bu
: this is my FIST taste. Indeed, "
never seen q real camp fire before"
! "Lard-what a lot you've missed
There was real pity in his tone. :
killed that deer today. Have som
more coffee"
= He refilled her tin cup, and devote
himself to his food. Before long the
had satisfied their hunger. Bill lai
a few dry sticks on the fire. The flame
L laid mold Of them and shot up in brigh
wavering tongues. 1t seemed to Haz'
:. that she had stepped utterly out Of he
y world. Cariboo Meadows, the schoo
house, and her classes seemed remot'
: She found herself wishing she were
man, so that she could fare into til
wilds with horses and a gun in TIL
> capable man fashion, where routir
went by the board and the upexpecte
lowered always close at hand. ST.
looked up suddenly, to find him regart
ing her with a whimsical smile.
"In a few minutes said he, "1'
pack up and try to deliver you as pt
contract. Meantime, I'm going I
smoke"
He did not ask her permission, bl
filed his pipe and lighted it with
coal. And for the succeeding fiftee
. minutes Roaring Bill Wagstaff S;
staring into the dancing blaze. Ha2
watched him uneasily after a time. f
), seemed to have forgotten her. Fl
pipe died, and he sat holding it in h
hand. She was uneasy, but not afrai
There was nothing about him or h
actions to make her fear. On the co,
trary, Roaring Bill at close quartz.
inspired confidence.
;, In the midst Of her reflections |
got up.
"Well, we'll make a move" he sal
and disappeared abruptly into tt