Left on the Prairie

drowsily, 'I'm so sleepy, Pedro. It can't be time to get up yet;'

im, and remembering where he must be, jum

must be ravenous after your long fast, I thought it wiser to wake you up

fter a good wash in a big basin of clear creek wa

to a door; 'find your way in there and they'll

yly at the door before entering. Mrs. S

we decided not to wake you up. We are very glad to see you here, and when you have had your breakfast, you must make friends wi

plate with food, and poured him out a cup of nice hot coffee, which smelt delicious to the hungry boy. She was ve

he breakfast-things, and she was surprised and delighted to find how careful

kets of water from the cre

else for me to do?'

bucksaw?' she

k. 'I cut all my uncle's w

'for the boys are so busy this morning, they've qui

short lengths of wood. He was proceeding to split them with an axe, when he found himself being surveyed by a little boy and girl who w

k?' asked th

nswered Jack,

ival, evidently anxious to converse, 'and this

'but I've got a mother, though

u've come hundreds of miles to find her. I'd g

little. You're ever so much littler than Jack. Jack,' she went on, with a funny grave l

paw very solemnly, as if it was an important cerem

stories about them doing such brave things in b

Teddy helped him by asking, in an awe-st

xican boys as set on me at Las Vegas. I tried to hurt them all I could,

iantly. 'I'd have helped you, Jack, and

the best o' it anyhow,' ret

greater respect than heretofore for Teddy after his brave speech. Mrs. Stuart joined them

ng. Now, children, I see you have already made friends with Jack. Help him to carr

ed Jack to carry in the logs, and soon the

shaggy manes and long flowing tails delighted the Western boy, who lingered near them as if quite fascinated. He utterly failed in his attempt to decide which he liked best, Teddy's black pony Raven, or Rita's white o

colt, and it was giving them no end of trouble. Mr. Stuart was present, and when he saw the children he put them into a safe place to wat

others quickly put on a saddle and bridle, and strapped the 'cinches,' or girths, up tight. The cowboy who was to ride the colt then gav

h fight for victory; and, as if inspired to try another method to get free of its unwelcome burden, it suddenly darted away full gallop across the plain. They thundered along for miles, the rider quite powerless to check the runaway, nor did he wish to. He let the horse go, and at last it began to weary, and, of its own accord, lessened its speed. Slower and slower it went, until it would have stopped altogether, if the cowboy had permitted it. But this wa

as he said he would like to do Steve Byrne a good turn for his kindness, and intended to write on the chance of his coming to Longview, and offer to ma

roached the ranch, and a tall, wiry old man jumped out and knocked at the door. He held himself very erect, and although his hair was gray, he

like an old friend. 'No one could be more welco

there a bit too long, as I ought to be in the Gunnison by now. Anyhow,

l stay here the night, of course? Get your m

owboy told him the man's name, and in Jack's eyes the new-comer was to be looked upon with respectful awe, for he was one of the most famous hunters in the West

unerring aim, and many a fierce fight for life had he had with dangerous foes. The hunter's f

up the subject, told Jack's story briefly, and ask

ere this winter, but as this opportunity has occurred, I think it is a pity to miss it, if you'll take him alon

you,' said the hu

n luck to have fallen in with such a travelling companion. Here's the safe

return, as if their owner would read him through, and then the veteran held out his hand, saying in a deep mellow voice that sounded pleasant

n't believe I'd be skeared of anything much if I were along with yo

ou, Joe,' remarked Mr. Stuart, laug

s unfeigned admiration. 'And now, kid, can you tell me whereabo

ow, when only about sixty miles from the nearest point of the creek, he had not the remotest idea if

runs down from the Range for about forty miles afore it joins

ghting where he i

more chance o' hearin' summat o' him as we get over

Jack,' said Mrs. Stuart, 'as you will

rnin', as we ain't got no time to fool away. For all the sky's so bright, I'm mighty s

as being pursued by a bear, and it was just catching him, when Champion Joe came to