°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
Away¡¡over¡¡his¡¡head¡¡something¡¡whistled¡¡like¡¡a¡¡rushing¡¡bird£»¡¡and¡¡sped¡¡off¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡15¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡16¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡
invisible¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡had¡¡fired¡¡a¡¡gun£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡signaling¡¡to¡¡himClarence¡¡
like¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡grown¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡given¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡moment¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
have¡¡had¡¡a¡¡gun¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡he¡¡could¡¡only¡¡wave¡¡his¡¡hat¡¡frantically¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡figures¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡bore¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡impetuously¡¡¡¡¡¡darted¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡¡
again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡coming¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡nearer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡powerful£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡gigantic£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡formidable£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡he¡¡
loomed¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡darkness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡threw¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡arm¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
wild¡¡gesture¡¡to¡¡the¡¡others£»¡¡and¡¡his¡¡voice£»¡¡manly£»¡¡frank£»¡¡and¡¡assuring£»¡¡came¡¡
ringing¡¡before¡¡him¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hold¡¡up£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Good¡¡God£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡no¡¡Injunit's¡¡a¡¡child£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡another¡¡moment¡¡he¡¡had¡¡reined¡¡up¡¡beside¡¡Clarence¡¡and¡¡leaned¡¡over¡¡
him£»¡¡bearded£»¡¡handsome£»¡¡powerful¡¡and¡¡protecting¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hallo£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What's¡¡all¡¡this£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡are¡¡you¡¡doing¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lost¡¡from¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Silsbee's¡¡train£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Clarence£»¡¡pointing¡¡to¡¡the¡¡darkened¡¡
west¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Lost£¿how¡¡long£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨About¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡hours¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they'd¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡us£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡
Clarence¡¡apologetically¡¡to¡¡this¡¡big£»¡¡kindly¡¡man¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡you¡¡kalkilated¡¡to¡¡wait¡¡here¡¡for¡¡'em£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡yesI¡¡didtill¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡¡¡¡¡why¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡thunder¡¡¡¡¡¡didn't¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡straight¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡us£»¡¡¡¡¡¡instead¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
hanging¡¡round¡¡here¡¡and¡¡drawing¡¡us¡¡out£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡boy¡¡hung¡¡his¡¡head¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡his¡¡reasons¡¡were¡¡unchanged£»¡¡but¡¡all¡¡
at¡¡once¡¡they¡¡seemed¡¡very¡¡foolish¡¡and¡¡unmanly¡¡to¡¡speak¡¡out¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Only¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡keen¡¡¡¡¡¡jump¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡Injins£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡continued¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
stranger£»¡¡¡¨we¡¡wouldn't¡¡have¡¡seen¡¡you¡¡at¡¡all£»¡¡and¡¡might¡¡hev¡¡shot¡¡you¡¡when¡¡
we¡¡did¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡possessed¡¡you¡¡to¡¡stay¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡boy¡¡was¡¡still¡¡silent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Kla'uns£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡a¡¡faint£»¡¡sleepy¡¡voice¡¡from¡¡the¡¡
mesquite£»¡¡¡¨take¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡rifle¡shot¡¡had¡¡awakened¡¡Susy¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡stranger¡¡turned¡¡quickly¡¡towards¡¡the¡¡sound¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡started¡¡and¡¡
recalled¡¡¡¡¡¡himself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡bitterly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨you've¡¡¡¡¡¡done¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡you've¡¡
wakened¡¡her£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THAT'S¡¡why¡¡I¡¡stayed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡couldn't¡¡carry¡¡her¡¡over¡¡there¡¡to¡¡
you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡couldn't¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡walk£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡she'd¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡frightened¡£¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡wouldn't¡¡¡¡¡¡wake¡¡
her¡¡¡¡¡¡up£»¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡she'd¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡frightened£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡mightn't¡¡¡¡¡¡find¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡again¡£¡¡There£¡¡¨¡¡
He¡¡had¡¡made¡¡up¡¡his¡¡mind¡¡to¡¡be¡¡abused£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡was¡¡reckless¡¡now¡¡that¡¡she¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡16¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡17¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡
was¡¡safe¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡glanced¡¡at¡¡each¡¡other¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡spokesman¡¡quietly£»¡¡
¡¨you¡¡didn't¡¡strike¡¡out¡¡for¡¡us¡¡on¡¡account¡¡of¡¡your¡¡sister£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨She¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ain't¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sister£»¡¨¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡quickly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨She's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡girl¡£¡¡
She's¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Silsbee's¡¡little¡¡girl¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡were¡¡in¡¡the¡¡wagon¡¡and¡¡got¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It's¡¡
my¡¡fault¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡helped¡¡her¡¡down¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡three¡¡men¡¡reined¡¡their¡¡horses¡¡closely¡¡round¡¡him£»¡¡leaning¡¡forward¡¡
from¡¡their¡¡saddles£»¡¡with¡¡their¡¡hands¡¡on¡¡their¡¡knees¡¡and¡¡their¡¡heads¡¡on¡¡one¡¡
side¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spokesman¡¡¡¡¡¡gravely£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨you¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡reckoned¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡stay¡¡
here£»¡¡old¡¡man£»¡¡and¡¡take¡¡your¡¡chances¡¡with¡¡her¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡run¡¡the¡¡risk¡¡of¡¡
frightening¡¡or¡¡leaving¡¡herthough¡¡it¡¡was¡¡your¡¡one¡¡chance¡¡of¡¡life£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡boy£»¡¡scornful¡¡of¡¡this¡¡feeble£»¡¡grown¡up¡¡repetition¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come¡¡here¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡doggedly¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡pushed¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡¡¡
worn¡¡straw¡¡hat¡¡from¡¡Clarence's¡¡forehead¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡into¡¡his¡¡lowering¡¡face¡£¡¡
With¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡still¡¡on¡¡the¡¡boy's¡¡head¡¡he¡¡turned¡¡him¡¡round¡¡to¡¡the¡¡others£»¡¡
and¡¡said¡¡quietly£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Suthin¡¡of¡¡a¡¡pup£»¡¡eh£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡bet£»¡¨¡¡they¡¡responded¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡voice¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡unkindly£»¡¡¡¡¡¡although¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡speaker¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡thrown¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
lower¡¡¡¡¡¡jaw¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡pronounce¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡word¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨pup¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡humorous¡¡
suggestion¡¡of¡¡a¡¡mastiff¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Before¡¡Clarence¡¡could¡¡make¡¡up¡¡his¡¡mind¡¡if¡¡the¡¡
epithet¡¡was¡¡insulting¡¡or¡¡not£»¡¡the¡¡man¡¡put¡¡out¡¡his¡¡stirruped¡¡foot£»¡¡and£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡
gesture¡¡of¡¡invitation£»¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨Jump¡¡up¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡Susy£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Clarence£»¡¡drawing¡¡back¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Look£»¡¡she's¡¡making¡¡up¡¡to¡¡Phil¡¡already¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡looked¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Susy¡¡had¡¡crawled¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mesquite£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡her¡¡
sun¡bonnet¡¡hanging¡¡down¡¡her¡¡back£»¡¡her¡¡curls¡¡tossed¡¡around¡¡her¡¡face£»¡¡still¡¡
flushed¡¡with¡¡sleep£»¡¡and¡¡Clarence's¡¡jacket¡¡over¡¡her¡¡shoulders£»¡¡was¡¡gazing¡¡
up¡¡with¡¡grave¡¡satisfaction¡¡in¡¡the¡¡laughing¡¡eyes¡¡of¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡men¡¡who¡¡was¡¡
with¡¡outstretched¡¡hands¡¡bending¡¡over¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Could¡¡he¡¡believe¡¡his¡¡senses£¿¡¡
The¡¡¡¡¡¡terror¡stricken£»¡¡¡¡¡¡willful£»¡¡¡¡¡¡unmanageable¡¡¡¡¡¡Susy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
translated¡¡¡¡¡¡unconsciously¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡safety¡¡¡¡¡¡without¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡terrible¡¡¡¡¡¡ordeal¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡
awakened¡¡to¡¡the¡¡loss¡¡of¡¡her¡¡home¡¡and¡¡parents¡¡at¡¡any¡¡sacrifice¡¡to¡¡himself¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡17¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡18¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡
this¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ingenuous¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡infant¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡absolutely¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡throwing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡herself¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡
appearance¡¡of¡¡forgetfulness¡¡into¡¡the¡¡arms¡¡of¡¡the¡¡first¡¡new¡comer£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡his¡¡
perception¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡fact¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡accompanied¡¡by¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡ingratitude¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡
her¡¡¡¡¡¡sake¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡relieved£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡boyish¡¡¡¡¡¡smile¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡satisfaction¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
encouragement¡¡vaulted¡¡into¡¡the¡¡saddle¡¡before¡¡the¡¡stranger¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡18¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡19¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡IV¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡dash¡¡forward¡¡to¡¡the¡¡train£»¡¡securely¡¡held¡¡in¡¡the¡¡saddle¡¡by¡¡the¡¡arms¡¡
of¡¡their¡¡deliverers£»¡¡was¡¡a¡¡secret¡¡joy¡¡to¡¡the¡¡children¡¡that¡¡seemed¡¡only¡¡too¡¡
quickly¡¡over¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡resistless¡¡gallop¡¡of¡¡the¡¡fiery¡¡mustangs£»¡¡the¡¡rush¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
night¡¡¡¡¡¡wind£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gathering¡¡¡¡¡¡darkness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡distant¡¡¡¡wagons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡
halted¡¡and¡¡facing¡¡them£»¡¡looked¡¡like¡¡domed¡¡huts¡¡in¡¡the¡¡horizonall¡¡these¡¡
seemed¡¡but¡¡a¡¡delightful¡¡and¡¡fitting¡¡climax¡¡to¡¡the¡¡events¡¡of¡¡the¡¡day¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡
sublime¡¡¡¡¡¡forgetfulness¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡youth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡left¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡
embarrassing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡record¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡willing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡repeat¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡
experiences¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡morrow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡confident¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡equally¡¡¡¡¡¡happy¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡
when¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡timidly¡¡¡¡¡¡reaching¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡towards¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡horse¡hair¡¡¡¡¡¡reins¡¡
lightly¡¡held¡¡by¡¡¡¡his¡¡companion£»¡¡had¡¡them¡¡playfully¡¡¡¡yielded¡¡up¡¡to¡¡him¡¡¡¡by¡¡
that¡¡hold¡¡and¡¡confident¡¡rider£»¡¡the¡¡boy¡¡felt¡¡himself¡¡indeed¡¡a¡¡man¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡greater¡¡¡¡¡¡surprise¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡store¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡neared¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
wagons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡formed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡circle¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡certain¡¡¡¡¡¡degree¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡military¡¡
formality£»¡¡they¡¡could¡¡see¡¡that¡¡the¡¡appointments¡¡of¡¡the¡¡strange¡¡party¡¡were¡¡
larger¡¡and¡¡more¡¡liberal¡¡than¡¡their¡¡own£»¡¡or¡¡indeed¡¡anything¡¡they¡¡had¡¡ever¡¡
known¡¡of¡¡the¡¡kind¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Forty¡¡or¡¡fifty¡¡horses¡¡were¡¡tethered¡¡within¡¡the¡¡circle£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡camp¡¡fires¡¡were¡¡already¡¡blazing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Before¡¡one¡¡of¡¡them¡¡a¡¡large¡¡tent¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡erected£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡parted¡¡¡¡¡¡flaps¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡table¡¡¡¡¡¡actually¡¡
spread¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡white¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cloth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡school¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡feast£»¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡their¡¡
ordinary¡¡¡¡¡¡household¡¡¡¡¡¡arrangement£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Susy¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡
own¡¡dinners£»¡¡usually¡¡laid¡¡on¡¡bare¡¡boards¡¡beneath¡¡the¡¡sky£»¡¡or¡¡under¡¡the¡¡low¡¡
hood¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wagon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡rainy¡¡¡¡¡¡weather£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡marveled¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡
finally¡¡¡¡¡¡halted£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡lifted¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡horses£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡passed¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡wagon¡¡
fitted¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡bedroom¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡kitchen£»¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡nudge¡¡
each¡¡other¡¡with¡¡silent¡¡appreciation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡here¡¡again¡¡the¡¡difference¡¡already¡¡
noted¡¡in¡¡the¡¡quality¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sensations¡¡of¡¡the¡¡two¡¡children¡¡was¡¡observable¡£¡¡
Both¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡equally¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡agreeably¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡surprised¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Susy's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡wonder¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡
merely¡¡the¡¡sense¡¡of¡¡novelty¡¡and¡¡inexperience£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡slight¡¡disbelief¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
actual¡¡¡¡¡¡necessity¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡saw£»¡¡¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡Clarence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whether¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡
previous¡¡general¡¡experience¡¡or¡¡peculiar¡¡temperament£»¡¡had¡¡the¡¡conviction¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡19¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡20¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡WAIF¡¡OF¡¡THE¡¡PLAINS¡¡
that¡¡what¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡here¡¡was¡¡the¡¡usual¡¡custom£»¡¡and¡¡what¡¡he¡¡had¡¡known¡¡with¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡Silsbees¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡novelty¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡feeling¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡attended¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡slight¡¡
sense¡¡of¡¡wounded¡¡pride¡¡for¡¡Susy£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡her¡¡enthusiasm¡¡had¡¡exposed¡¡her¡¡to¡¡
ridicule¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡man¡¡who¡¡had¡¡carried¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡the¡¡head¡¡of¡¡the¡¡party£»¡¡
had¡¡¡¡¡¡already¡¡¡¡¡¡preceded¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡tent£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡pres