Connecticut western news., 1918-01-24

know timber" Bill remarked. "And 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 a bite, and
you'll feel better"
He turned over the piece of meat on
the Goals while he spoke. Hazel saw
that 1t lay on two green sticks, like
steak on 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
3 I'D 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 1t come you didn't
yell once in a while?"
"'I 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. Op-
posite the meat q 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, a
jar of preserved fruit.
'How far is it to Cariboo Meadows?"
Hazel asked.
Bill looked up from his supper prep
arations. o..
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 rs
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 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
q Gun of coffee. He had small sark
Of sugar, and his pack boxes yielded
condensed milk.
what sort of meat Is thatr Hazel
asked after a few minutes of silence.
Il was fine-grained and of rich fla
Vor strange to her mouth. She liked
1t but 1t was neither beef, pork nor
mutton, nor any meat she knew.
"Venison. Didn't you ever eat any
beforeT he smiled.
"Never tasted It," she answered
isn't 1t nicer No, I've read of hunters
cooking venison over an open fire, but
this is my first taste. Indeed, I've
never seen q real camp fire before"
"Lord-what a lot you've missedw
There was real pity in his tone. 'T
more coffee"
He refilled her tin cup, and devt Led !
himself to his food. Before long they |
had satisfied their hunger. Bill laid !
q 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. 1
She found herself wishing she were a
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.
"In few minutes" said he, "Tll
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 1t with
coal. And for the succeeding fifteen
minutes Roaring Bill Wagstaf sat
starring into the dancing blaze. Hazel
watched him uneasily after time. He
seemed to have forgotten her. His
pipe died, ond he sat holding 1t In his
hand. Size was uneasy, but not afraid.
There was nothing about him or his
actions 20 make her fear. On the con-
trary, Roaring Bill at close quarters
inspired confidence.