The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-05-23
CHAPTER II-Continued.

b
George dropped behind, and an
amused smile played on the foreman's
face He had known Drazk too long
10 be much surprised at anything he
might do. II was Drazk's idea of gal
lantry TO make love TO every girl on
sight. Possibly Drazk had managed
TO exchange a word with Zen, and his
Imagination would readily expand that
into a love scene. Zen! Even the
placid, balanced Under felt a slight
leap in the blood at the unusual name
which suggested the bright girl who
had come into his life the night be-
fore. Not exactly into his life; ii
would be fairer 70 say she had touched
the rim OF his life Perhaps she would
never penetrate il further; Under
rather expected that would be the
case. As for Drazk-she was in no
danger from him. Drazk's methods
were so precipitous that they could be
counted upon to defeat themselves.
Below stretched the valley of the
South Y.D., almost a duplicate of its
northern neighbor. The stream Rugged
the feet of the hills on the northern
side Of the valley; its ribbon of green
and gold was like a fringe gathered
about the hem of their skirts. Be
yond the stream lay the level plains
Of the valley, and miles to the south
rose the next ridge of foothills. Ii
was from these interlying plains that
- nf
hay.
Linder's appreciative eye took in
the scene; a scene of stupendous sizes
ana magnificent distances. As he
slowly turned his vision eastward
speck in the distance caught his sight
his eyes from the bright afternoon
sur ne surveyed ii long and carefully.
There was no doubt about it; a hay
ing outfit was already at work down
the valley.
Leaving his team TO manage them
selves Under dropped from his wagon
and joined Transley. 'Some one has
beat US TO it." he remarked
$50 I observed" said Transley
well, it's big valley, and if they're
satisfied TO stay where they are there
should be enough for both. If they're
not
'If they're not, whatf" demanded
Under.
You heard what Y.D. said. He
said: Cut IT, spite o. HI an high
water and l always obey orders"
They wound down the hillside I'M
I'll they came to the stream, the horses
quickening their pace with the smell
of wafer in their eager nostrils. 1t
was a good ford, broad and shallow,
with the typical bowlder bottom of
the mountain stream. The horses
crowded into it. drinking greedily with
a sort OF droning noise caused by the
bits in their mouths. When they had
satisfied their thirst they raised their
heads, stretched their noses far out
and champed wide-mouthed upon their
bits.
After pause in the stream they
drew out on the farther bank, where
were open spaces among cottonwood
trees, and Transley indicated that this
would be their camping ground. AL
ready smoke was issuing from the
chuck wagon, and in few minutes
the mems sleeping tent and the two
stable tents were flashing back the
afternoon sun. They carried no eat
ing tent; instead Of that an eating
wagon was backed up against the
served in it. They had not paused
for a midday meal; the cook had pro-
vided sandwiches of bread and roast
beef TO duh the edge of their appe-
tite, and now all were keen TO fall TO
as soon as the welcome changing of
the plow-colter which hung from the
end of the chuck wagon should give
the signal.
Presently this changing filed the
evening air with sweet music. and the
men filed with long, slouchy tread into
the eating wagon. The table ran
down the center, with bench seats at
either side. The cook, properly gaug-
ing the mems appetites, had not taken
time 10 prepare meat and potatoes.
but on the table We're ample basins OF
graniteware filed with beans and
bread and stewed prunes and CANNED
tomatoes, pitchers of strip and con-
densed milk. tins with marmalade
and jam, and plates with butter sadly
suffering from the summer heat. The
cook filed their granite cups with hot
tea from a granite pitcher, and when
the cups were empty filed them again
and again And when the tables were
partly cleared he brought out deep
pies filed with raisins and with evap-
Grated apples and thick cake from
which the men cut hunks as generous
as their appetite suggested. Transley
had learned. what women are said 70
have learned long ago. that the way
TO mans heart is through his stom-