Left on the Prairie

surprised to find himself no longer on the prairie, but lying on

to imagine how in the world he had got into such a place. His head still ached badly, and, putting his hand up, he found his forehead was bandaged. He felt very weak and ill,

ng fellow, evidently a Mexican, from his swarthy complexion, but there was a look of compassion in h

would not understand the English words, and h

on the prairie. You were hurt here'-pointing to his forehead-'and I thought you were dead. I carried you here, and you were nearly g

THE MEXICAN,

id, which the Mexican told him was a kind of tea he made from the wild sage

the shepherd's dog, and had fallen into the hands of such a kind-hearted, sensible man as Pedro Gomez, who had lived all his life o

you for a day or two, but when you're better, then you can te

God to help me, and I expect He hea

t Him to thank for it arter all, for it was strange we shou

l he returned again, and prepared to go back to his

st tell Se?or. He knows more than man

and said wistfully, 'I guess

anch, and I've nursed 'em often. They just love to play with Se?or,

s was stamped in his honest, intelligent face, and Pedro was right in saying he knew more than many a human being. Jack was fond of animals, and made the fi

herefore avoided them, and at first deemed it wiser not to notice this boy who spoke to him in a coaxing voice. He had stretched himself

n a caressing way, until at last Se?or thought he might as well investigate him closer. Accordingl

ly act by licking his hand. As Jack talked and caressed him further, Se?or gradually threw off all reserve, and whe

' he said approvingly. 'He can't abide strangers as a

able to get up for a bit and sit at the tent-door. He was very weak, and Pedro t

tell him his story, Pedro pro

e your folks

chetopa Creek,'

exclaimed Pedro. 'It ain't safe for a child to wander up there with no one near him. There's bears

ears. He had never seen one, but t

truthfully; 'but p'raps I'd meet someone

mber comes. You bide here for a few weeks with me until my boss comes over again, an' I promise you as he'l

il Mr. Stuart came again, when they would ask him his opinion as to

e was astonished at the Mexican's cleverness: he seemed able to do anything with his fingers, and had a wonderful store of knowledge ab

to pieces. He was much distressed at his tattered garments, whereupon Pedro said he would soon make it all right for him, and proceeded to hunt out some buckskin leather, which he had tanned himself. It was quite thin and soft, a

made him a pair of mocassin shoes, cut out of a

ng, and said: 'There, lad; them clothes 'll never

roached he began driving them towards a place on the prairie where there were corrals

vening. Although they never saw anyone, Jack was never dull or lonely, as Pedro was excellent company. He showed him how to prepare the different skins of animals they found near their camp, and when J

young master, hunting, shooting, or minding cattle with him, and thus had learnt to speak the language fluently. He said when Mr. Stuart married and settled down on his ranch, he wanted him (Pedro) to live in a shanty, and look after