Breaking the Prairie 



it and our other belongings on the wagon, and 

 tying Nancy behind, we started for Tom's home- 

 stead. 



The weather for the past few days had been 

 beautiful ; and as we rode, sitting on the high 

 spring seat of the wagon, we had an opportunity 

 of noting the changing aspect of the country- 

 side. A green shade was creeping over the 

 bleached prairie. The buds on the trees in the 

 black willow and poplar bluffs were bursting, 

 while, as we passed the land we had seen Bob 

 and his cousins seeding, we noticed that the 

 black earth was nearly hidden by the green, 

 springing wheat. 



This was the case with many other patches 

 that had but a very few days before been in 

 dark contrast to the prevailing colour. 



Animal life, too, was more in evidence, and 

 Tom tried to stalk a fine jack-rabbit, as the 

 northern hare is called. He would have sup- 

 plied us with fresh meat for several meals, but 

 was too cute to stay within range of a shot-gun, 

 and as we had no rifle, he went off with long, 

 bounding leaps. 



The pretty little squirrel-like gophers were 

 amusing, retiring into their holes at our approach, 

 but, prompted by curiosity, soon popping up 

 again for another look. 



79 



