20 DEEP FURROWS 



air, the smoke of threshers hung in funnelled smudges 

 above the horizon like the black smoke of steamers, 

 hull down, at sea. 



On this particular autumn afternoon a certain black 

 dot might have been observed, so lost in the immensity 

 of landscape that it appeared to be stationary. It was 

 well out upon the trail that wound northward from 

 Indian Head into the country of the Fishing Lakes 

 the trail that forked also eastward to dip through the 

 valley of the Qu'Appelle at Blackwood before striking 

 north and east across the Kenlis plain towards the 

 Pheasant Hills. In reality the well kept team which 

 drew the big grain wagon was swinging steadily ahead 

 at a smart pace ; for their load of supplies, the heaviest 

 item of which was a new plow, was comparatively light, 

 they were homeward bound and the going in the earlier 

 stages of the long journey was smooth. 



The driver sat hunched in his seat, reins sagging. 

 He was a man of powerful physique, his skin deep cop- 

 pered by long exposure to prairie winds and sun. In 

 repose the face that was shadowed by the wide felt hat 

 would have appeared somewhat deceptive in its placid- 

 ity owing to the fact that the strong jaw and firm 

 mouth were partly hidden by a heavy moustache and a 

 thick, black beard, trimmed short. 



Just now it was evident that the big farmer's mood 

 was far from pleasant. Forearm on knee, he had^r'r- 

 rendered completely to his thoughts. His fists clenched 

 spasmodically and there was an angry glint in his eyes. 

 Occasionally he shook his head as if the matter in mind 

 were almost too hopeless for consideration. A sudden 

 surge of resentment made him lash his booted leg with 

 the ends of the lines. 



" Confound them !" he muttered aloud. 





