The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1961-11-09
CHAPTER II

which Tom approached, with a
slight lump in his throat. He
stood on the old wooden struc-
ture for some time, taking his
last look al the stream which he
loved. He knew every water hole
for miles, and had fished them
all many times. As he stood there
and gazed up the creek, he was
thinking about the time that Zeb
Hall and he were noodle fishing
Chand fishing. Zeb had stuck his
hand in a hole back under the
bank feeling for channel cat, but
found a pike instead. When Zeb
pulled his hand out the two front
fingers were nearly torn off. His
first remark was to the effect
that il must not have been a cat
fish but an alligator. Tom also
thought of the time when he was
a little shaver and he and his
father had caught four "coons"
in the woods Just above where
ne was now standing. He remem-
bered how his father pretended
that he was lost, and Tom had
10 show him the way 10 their
horses and home. The memories
of those and many other days
were grand, but he was a man
now, and on. his way TO find
something, he knew not what
But he had a craving in his FIN
nards' for that something and
he intended TO find il before he
turned back
IL was getting dark when Tom
walked into the store at Pisgah
20 see IL he could buy something
in the line Of food. The twenty
some miles he had liked from
home had not caused him to let
out his belt any, and his stomach
had long since quit growing.
Pisgah was thirty odd miles
from a railroad and about half
the way TO the Missouri river.
The store was owned and oper-
ated by Hal Clifford who was also
the postmaster. In addition to
the store and postoffice building,
there was a blacksmith shop and
also four or five houses. There
had been a sawmill at one time,
but Il had ceased 10 operate the
wear before when its owner,
Squire Moore had been killed by
a broken saw.
The proprietor of the store
came up from the back of the
building as Tom entered, but in
the near dark did not recognize
him. After Tom explained that
he was Enoch Wingate's boy, Hal
grabbed him by the hand and
seemed very glad 10 see him.
well, well, Tom Wingatel Why
I haven't seen you since you and
your dad cleaned up most Of the
turkeys at Evans place down on
the Moniteau, five years ago
come this Thanksgiving How you
been anyway and how's Sarah
and Enoch7 I'm just getting ready
20 close this shebang for the day,
then well 90 over TO the house
and see what the cats dragged
in"
mo. Mr.. Clifford, I won't 60
over TO the house for ! just stop
ped by TO see IL | could buy a
can Of fish or some kind of
smoked meat. I'm on my way 10
Sandy Hook and thought might
need a bite before / got there"
"You can have more than a
bite. Get your horse, and we will
20 over 10 the house. Wen find
something, at least always have"
well. you see ! don't have a
horse this time. I'm travelling on
Shanks' mares. Am going up the
river and reckon Ill catch a boat
al Sandy Hook"
Bless my soul Whar you head
i'm"
DANCED IL | know, just want
10 20 up river as far as the boat
will 90, and then maybe Ill walk
some more"
Then you're headin' for In
dian country"
"Yeh."
well, conSarn your emery but
tonsl I wish could 60 with you.
Anyway you are going TO put up
with me tonight and start the
day with a full belly"
Daybreak Of the following
morning found Tom on his way.
When the sun began TO make a
showing in the east, that long
easy stride Of Toms had carried
him some five miles over nice
open country and into timbered
territory again This was as Tom
had planned. The next five miles
would be the roosing place Of
millions of wild pigeons. He had
been there before. but not in the
early morning when he could
really see them leave the roosts,
like he would be able 70 on this
occasion. The first mile did not
reveal many but as he went fur
Their into the timber the more
the limbs were bent down from
49, ro.as NJ the live weight. The