Left on the Prairie

uring buckets of water over it, as the laws were very strict on that point. Many of the terrible prairie fires are traced from time to time to sparks left by careless pe

being pursued, Jeff suggested it would be safer for him to ride inside the waggon for the first day or two. They had o

e waggon opening to Jack. 'We're foll

and see who it was. How relieved he felt when the horse came up clos

' cried Jeff. 'It's the y

p with evide

he kid?' asked

s; 'I guess we can take care o' him for a spell of the way; but though he's got his head scre

Steve, 'an' I leave him

had fallen considerably when he perceived that Lem Adams was Jeff's mate. He had known two men were going, but Jef

ome months before, Steve had seen a good deal of Lem Adams in a mining town, and disliked him intensely, having found him a bad

could not hear, 'Look out as you don't vex that black-lookin' fellow. He's a mean chap, and hates me, so I'm feared as he'll plague ye if he gets the chance; but Jeff'll see as ye ain't bullied, i

ood heart up, an' good luck go with you!' h

d of dust; then, holding the packet tight in his hand, he remoun

y on; but Jack never grumbled. He was happy enough, knowing that he had started out on his long journey; and what cared h

no morning's milk in the place where Jack usually left it. A few hours later they were surprised to hear Roanie lowing near the yard gate, and knew that the wandering animal must have actually come back of h

h they hunted every spot they could not find him. His uncle go

boy would think of running away, and he made sure that by e

o see the latter riding carelessly about the village all day. Steve rode past him, giving him an indi

t they must look further afield, for the missing boy, our fugitive was too far away to fear recapture. Byrne made many inquiries from incoming travellers as to whether they had seen a lad anywhere along the different roads; but,

d breathed more freely. He was always glad when they stopped to camp for the night, as his legs got very cramped in the waggon.

r feeds, and picketed them out where the grass grew most plentifully. Jeff was cook, and Jack helped them both. Jeff found him most useful. He collected fir cones and bits of pi?on or birch-bark to start the fires with, an

lounged by the fire and smoked. Jack soon got used to the life, although it seemed very strange to him to find himself every night farther away

bout his mother, and being a subject dear to the boy's heart, he launched forth into a glowing description

aving. But you say she taught you prayers an' hymns. I don't care about prayers, b

t Lem seemed half asleep as Jack and Jeff talked.

ather liked best, for he used to sing it when he

Jeff, as he refilled his pi

ar for music, he had quickly picked up the tunes of hi

repeating the last half of the first verse as a chorus after all the verses

y pitch my

arch near

w his whole energ

P, "FOR EVER W

o rough Jeff, and when

words were written for such rovin' chaps as

ollowed it by many more, until his voice got tired. Sometimes he forgot a verse here and there, but he rem

as Jack ceased singing, he said sneeringly: 'Say, Jeff, you

, I dare say I'd have lived a deal straighter life than I have done. I don't remember my mother. She died

listening to the boy's singing, but the word

towards night. He slept in the waggon, for Jeff had said after the first day, 'Jest roll yersel' up cosy in

er, and he felt as long as he was present he need