CHAPTER III 



BREAKING THE PRAIRIE 



The next morning broke bright and fair, with 

 a feehng of spring in the air, and the great white 

 clouds which rose in battalions from the south- 

 western horizon sailed majestically across the 

 blue above us, while their shadows trailed across 

 the bleached, rolling expanse below. 



Hitting a trail which led into the straight 



road near Mr. G 's house, we left our loose 



goods under his care. 



Thence proceeding, mounted on the seat of 

 the empty wagon, we talked. 



" Been pretty fortunate in finding homesteads, 

 haven't we ? " said my comrade. 



" Yes," I returned ; "it might have been a 

 much longer job." 



" How do you suggest we put in our residence 

 duties of six months each year and live together ? " 

 Tom asked. 



" Speaking generally," I answered, " I pro- 

 pose that, my homestead being near wood and 



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