THE WOLF HUNTERS 



mind you, now, Tm not going to touch a drop of 

 liquor till I get back from the ould country. And 

 then, of course, Til re-enHst, for soldiering's my 

 best hold." 



Before he was done speaking each of us had ex- 

 tended a hand to give him a hearty hand shake of 

 encouragement in his good resolution. 



"My boy," said old Tom, with tears in his eyes, 

 as he took one of Jack's hands in both his, "you 

 don't know how glad it makes me to hear you talk 

 that way. If you'll only stick to it, I'd give the 

 half of my possessions to help you carry out that 

 resolution." 



"Same here. Jack," I added. 



"Well, I'm going to show you that I can and 

 will do it." 



After a httle pause Tom inquired : 



"But now about yourself. Peck. What do you 

 expect to do with yourself.^" 



"Well, I've made up my mind that I'll not re- 

 enhst," I replied. "I've had soldiering enough, I 

 think; but I suppose I'll have to enter Uncle Sam's 

 service in some shape or other. I noticed when 

 we were in Leavenworth before that the quarter- 

 master's department at the fort is fitting out a 

 good many trains of new six-mule teams; and, as 

 that is something to my notion, I think I'll try 

 for a job as wagon-master." 



When we reached Council Grove, then the gate- 

 way of the border settlements, we felt as if we were 



300 



