Wagons go byoften now, replied Logan, and, banging
his pails, he stamped out.
George was quick, intelligent; Abeslow to take up
anything mental. Ill be damned, ejaculated the nonplussed father. Luce, youre
thinking of her mother, declared Logan, with finality.
Then I took to the road to seewhat I could make out
of tracks. Well, you moon-eyed Huetts, said Logan, from this day on yourecowboys!
Spring wasat hand, with its manifold tasks.
If there was any one lookingfor her hed never get
down here after dark.
But what had that despair been to this pangshe had
just sustained?
If he hadany happiness, it was in the way his boys
took to hunting, woodcraft,riding. Hes got apack now, an they shore left a bloody
trail across this range.
Boys, you carry fodder while I milk, said Lucinda,
taking the buckets. A long,hard winter would reduce the Huetts to wretched
condition. In a few days Barbara was a happy, provocative little sisterto the boys.
Settlers going south, explained Logan exuberantly. He laid his Winchester across the
elkantlers on the wall and extinguished tie lantern. Barbara had hershare in the
general work, of her own free will.
Remember the fable of the hare andthe tortoise.
Thenone night in early March, true to his prediction, the storm-king roareddown
through the forest. But she soon ascertained that they did not. Wagons go byoften
now, replied Logan, and, banging his pails, he stamped out. Barbara forgot herself
in awe and joy over the ponies she hadheard the boys talk about for years. Holbert
told methere was a lot more travel on the road this spring. His weather-beaten
facewore the happiest mien Lucinda had seen there since the day she
marriedhim.
Lucinda observed that Abe watched with great
interest, and thisstimulated her own.
Wife, thats another good idea, declared Logan,
thoughtfully.
She wouldnt harm our childrenbecause they didnt
harm hers. Good riddance, Id say, replied Huett, forcibly.
The wild turkeys began to gobble fromthe
ridges.
After a moment of hesitation she came shyly
toLucinda.
When he returned, treading softly, hiseyes flashed
keen and bright in the firelight.
But let me ask a question or so before I tell you.
Lucinda surely felt she could trust him with that. Lucinda spent uneasy, anxious
hours until Logan returned, some time afterdark. Lucinda told of her hunt for the
boys and the result.
They might have been gone a couple of hours. A kid
could not keep up long with a trotting team.