Ranching for Sylvia

uld have been done earlier, for the soil on the Marston farm was very light, and, as it had already grown several crops of cereals, Geor

and then the fine soil and sand, blown from the rest of the fallow by the fresh breeze, swept by in streams. George wore motor-goggles to pr

skirt fell in becoming lines, and he thought the gray blouse and wide Stetson hat, with a r

ll," she said. "You were talking about buying cattle, and a man at Dunb

ion carries weig

m. I must thank you

this-when you're buying stoc

l prices, I wish Mr. Grant

ed. You see, as a friend of th

, you might give me a hint. How much is the value of Canadian ca

y about fifty per cent," F

eorge. "I am sure your o

regarded him with amusement as he came tow

a western farmer than you did wh

and surveyed his working a

the first plunge, I'd better go through with it-get a flappy

are going on a two days' journey to drive som

e. I can only remember the

uctions, and when she rode

ce. Grierson can go on plowing with the Cly

his ragged furrow. "But I'm going to have my supper

e big, red and white, long-horned animals, accustomed to freedom, for fences are still scarce on tracts of the pr

"I'm not an expert at cattle-driving, but I

ncher

won't be bothered by many fences. It's pretty dry in summer, but you'll get good water in Baxter's wel

, as if rejoicing in their restored freedom. Then, while George and his

em to be in good trai

idea where t

explained the rancher. "As it's near the trail, you had better let

aking for a wavy line of timber, and on reaching it, plunged down the side of a declivity among little scattered trees. A stream trickled through willow bushes and tall grass in the bottom of t

bed the opposite ascent, leading their horses. "The way these beasts jump about amo

e now," George

d back into

ream as fast as they can go! You're smarter at th

d to keep this bunch to

ot and angry, with the cattle crashing through the brush in front of

marked. "Anyhow, they're going the right way, w

feed quietly, and after picketing their horses the men lay down on their blankets. It was growing cooler, a vivid band of green still f

ginning to think this kind of thing must be rather f

ing. It would cost a good deal more than he had anticipated to work the farm; Sylvia had no funds that could be drawn upon, and his means were not large. Economy and

ock traveled quietly, and, with a halt or two where a clump of poplars offered a little shade, they rode, scorched by dazzling sunshine, across the limitless plain. In the afternoon George began to look eagerly for the bluff that the rancher mentioned.

eorge felt relieved when he saw a dark l

where the well is; though I

hey reached the welcome shadow of the trees, and Edgar broke into a shout wh

rses and water them," s

er. The lad worked hard with the windlass, but he could not keep them supplied, and they crowded on the low platform covering the well, with he

not quick! It's my opinion they'r

t, but when they were supplying the last two or th

e you doing with ou

d us about the well, he didn't mention the necessity of asking M

e and hav

hot with indignation, and on reaching them he b

, we'll assess the damages

anger began

a pretty mean pull on you; but water'

l you could let me put this bunch of cattle into until

I've got. Take them right along, and you'll strike a creek about

ntil he had watered the stock. In an hour or two the sun was hidden by banks of leaden cloud, but the temperature did not fall and there was an oppressive heaviness in the air. The prairie had faded to a sweep o

eak of haze in the di

s fires are not uncommon in hot

nd pulled up his horse in some concern. The ford had been difficult when they crossed it on the outward journey, but now the space betwee

ter; there'd be a risk in crossin

the trail runs in, and the landi

ht we to do?"

the water should soon run down." George glanced back toward the prairie dubiously

lessen, and the oppressive air was filled with a smell of burning. Looking back between the trees, they could s

h, there's a big thunderstorm brewing," Edgar said at length

es were moving restlessly; but, so far as Edgar could make out, the

wly," he reported. "Should we try

t's an extensive fire, and I'm doubtful whethe

ome trouble, and watching the blaze, which grew brighter ra

y called to Edgar. "We'll have to make a start! Ge

ne beast plunged in and vanished, more followed, and George, plying his quirt and shouting, rode in among the diminishing drove. He felt the water lapping about his boots, and then the horse lost

ment or two his head was driven under, but when he got it clear, another dazzling flash revealed a high bank only a few yards away, and when thick darkness followed he felt the horse rise to its feet. Then he touched soft bottom, and a little later scrambled up

he rest," he said, glancing toward the opposite bank,

we only got a

eorge answered, and was followed by a crackling and snapping of underbrush. Then, as a blaze of lightning filled the bluff with radiance, two men appeared for a mo

ett on the trail, and, as he told me the river was rising and the

questions and

but we can't round them up until it's light. There's a de

g when they had got out of the tim