Part 31 (1/2)

In the midst of these reflections he was joined by Rube The oldhis after-breakfast pipe

”She's openin',” he said, indicating the brown patches of earth already showing through the snow Seth nodded

They were standing just outside the great stockade which had been coates waiting to be hung upon their vast iron hinges

After the old hts ran on unchecked in spite of the other's presence Rube sure beside hi, too, but his thought was of their own iain he felt that it would be good to talk with hih perhaps he lacked soe he lacked nothing in experience, and experience told hione before, had been, but for the one significant incident of Seth's wound, very, very quiet--too quiet

”Say, boy,” the old uess you ain't yarned a heap 'bout your shootin' racket?”

Seth was suddenly brought back to his surroundings His eyes thoughtfully settled on the distant line of woodland that marked the river and the Reservation He answered readily enough

”That shootin' don't affect nothin'--nothin' but ht Little----”

Seth shook his head He took Rube's ravely

Rube suddenly looked away down the trail in the direction of Beacon Crossing His quick ears had caught an unusual sound It was a ”Coo-ee,”

but so thin and faint that it came to him like the cry of soazed over the rotting sleigh track which spring was fast rendering iray expanse ofsunlight

Rube turned back to the gateway of the stockade His pipe was finished and he had work to do Seth was evidently in no ood air fer awhiles,” he said kindly, ”y'

ain't goin' to git strong of a sudden, Seth”

”Guess I'll ride this afternoon hello!”

The cry reached theh-pitched and shrill, but nearer Away down the trail a figure in black furs wastoward them

Both men watched the object with the keenest interest It was a ray horizon, but it was plainly human, and evidently wishful to draw their attention

”Some'un wantin' us?” said Rube in a puzzled tone

”Seeure

Another ”Coo-ee” rang out, and Rube responded with his deep guttural voice And, in answer, the bundle of furs raised two ar the trail Without knowing quite why, but roused to a certain curiosity, he was going to ait was slower than the older man's, and he soon dropped behind

Suddenly he saw Rube stop and turn, beckoning him on When he came up the old man pointed down the road