’ ~—S 
: 
wal d (ile REA 6 open, followed by his mate and 
a a nearly grown young. Soon they reached 
the water-hole and all began to drink, each 
lifting its head with every drink for all the worid 
like so many Liliputian hens. A little later 
she heard the roar of wings as the flock flew 
up into a low thorn tree to roost for the night. 
Here they contirued to flutter about for some 
time, uttering low call-notes as if talking among 
themselves. As it grew dark they became 
silent. The campfire died down and a great 
stillness settled over the canyon to be broken 
only at intervals by the faint, far-away howling 
of a prairie wolf. 
Little Pearl lay in her blanket and looked up 
at the stars, which in that country seem very 
near because the air is so wonderfully clear. 
She was happy because her parents had told her 
that they had at last found a place where the 
dreadful cattle-men could no longer rob them, 
and that they would have a real home and never 
be disturbed any more. Then she thought of the 
pretty quails sbe had seen that evening and com- 
menced to plan what she could do for them so 
194 
