Wells Brothers

happen, and when about midway between the former point and Ogalalla, Nebraska, a rather serious mishap befell Quince Forrest, one of the men with the herd. He and the

own suggestion, his being a long-range pistol and the covey wary, the two exchanged belts. The visitor followed the flock, stealing within range a number of times, and emptying the six-shooter at every chance. On securing a fine specimen near nightfall, he returned to the herd, elated ove

oreman, Paul Priest, languidly remarked: "If everybody's ready, we'll ride. Fill the canteens; it's high time we were in the saddle. Of course, that means the parting tussle between Quince and the wrangler. It would

s, to witness the contest, when the two crashed against the wagon wheel and Forrest's pistol was discharged. The men dismounted instantly, the wrangler eased the victim to the ground, and when the outfit gathered around, the former was smothering the burning clothing of his friend and bunkmat

, while the negligence which caused the accident was politely suppressed. The stranger, innocently unaware of any mistake on his part, lent a valuable hand in s

homestead five or six miles above the trail crossing on the Beaver. He was insistent, and the foreman yielded so far as to order the herd grazed forward to the Beaver, which was some ten miles distant in their front. All the blankets in the outfit were accordingly brought into use, in ma

which the settler had improved until the water stood in long, placid pools. In response to their hail, two boys, about fourteen and sixteen years of age, emerged from the dug-out and greeted the horsemen. On inquiry, it proved that their father had died during the previous winter, at a

r, while Dell's was red; in height, the younger was the equal of his brother, talkative, and frank in countenance. When made acquainted with the errand of the trail boss, the older boy shook his head, but Dell stepped forwar

ws?" inquired t

penses took them, and then pa's

we can help each other. Our wagon is well provisioned.

stepping forward, "and the sooner w

red the trail man, now aware of their necessity,

ed Dell to his brother

advance. If you say the word, I'll unload my wagon right here, and grub-stake you for two months

but his brother was tactful, questioning and combating the men, and looking well to the future. A cold and unfriendly world, c

to his brother; "that will put us into the settlements in time for co

s on our hands? What then? Haven't you heard pa tell how soldiers died from slig

skillfully retold the story of the Good Samaritan, the older boy relented somewhat,

you," protested Joel, but it's because w

ng hands," said the trail

as expected," cautiously protested Joel,

mply tell them you are harboring a crippled lad, one of Don Lovell's boys, and you can levy on them for all they have. It's high time you were getting acquainted with these trail outfits. Shelter this

es down to the creek for a drink. A span of poor old mules stood inside a wooden corral, a rickety wagon and a few ru

ows, with this water and range, in a few years they would be independent men. No wonder that oldest boy is cautio

e visitor, "when you suggested leaving horses in the

nd the like,--and if these boys would care for them, I'll make their hungry hearts happy. Care and attention and a month's rest wo

down to meet them. "If you can spare us a few blankets and a pillow," earnestly said the boy, "we'll take the wounde

ou can have half a dozen, and as to pillows, watch me rob the outfit. I have a rubber one, there are several moss ones, and I have a lurki

erior of which bespoke its own poverty. When all agreements had been reviewed, the men moun

don't always understand boys. Hereafter, in dealing with Joel, you must use some diplomacy. The death of his parents has developed a responsibility in the older

nded man. Within an hour, he'll be right at home with those boys. If nothing seriou

y of the trailing herd, then hidden behind the last divide before reaching Beaver Creek. On every

rphan children of a soldier, at that. There's a fair sample of the skin game the government's running--bets you one hundred and sixty acres against fourteen dollars you can't hold down a homestead for five year

were being hung. There's good in everything. A few years of youthful poverty, once they r

here's the wagon. Suppose you ride down to the Beaver and select a good camp, well above the trail crossing, and I'll meet the commi

Instructing his cook to watch for a signal, at the hands of the stranger, indicating a camp on the creek, he turned and awaited the arrival of the lead cattle of the trail

s interwoven, Indian fashion, from which a tarpaulin was stretched to the wagon bows, form

. "If there is, I ain't going. Paul, stand squarely in front of me, where I can see your eyes. After what I've been ha

ails and making valuable suggestions. He urged courteous treatment of their guest while he remained; that there was nothing

ber it's my calf that's gored. Serves me right, though, kittening up to every stranger that comes along. I must be getting tired of you slatterly cow hands." He hesitated a moment.

ion of the stranger was a settlement on the Republican River, and he volunteered to ride through that afternoon and night and secure a surgeon. Frontier physicians were used to hundred-mile calls. The own

le the foreman remained to await the arrival of a physician. The day had brought forth wonders to Joel and Dell--from the dark hour of want to the dawn of plenty, while th

. You have an abundance of water, and after I leave, wash their backs, morning and evening, and they'll be well in a month. Since you are running a trail hospital, you want to cater to man and beast. Of course, i

y the shadows of evening. The lesson of the day had filled empty hearts with happiness, and when darkness fell, the boys threw off all former re

he youngest one Nurse, but now I'm going to call them just plain Joel and Dell, and they can call me Mr. Quince. Honor bright, I never met