A Strange Ride 141 



camp-supplies lashed behind him, started 

 forth on his trip. 



His mother kissed him through blinding 

 tears, for she felt as though she would never 

 see him again, while Tommy was all tears 

 because he could not go too. Mr. Anderson 

 gripped the boy's hand with a clasp that he 

 recalled for many days, and bade him, as he 

 loved his parents, to take good care of him- 

 self and not run any useless risks. 



It was a crisp morning in late September 

 and the outlines of the distant bluffs along 

 the river were wrapped in a blue haze 

 almost like smoke. A few flight birds had 

 already begun their long journey south- 

 ward, and there was evidence that others 

 would soon follow, for small flocks could be 

 heard chattering among the wild plums 

 and in the brambles. The young prairie- 

 chickens were nearly grown and very plen- 

 tiful. Game that would have delighted 

 the palate of an epicure could be had 



