1897 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



455 



During the night ihoro were continued tre- 

 mors of the earth, and sleep was not enjoyed in 

 that camp that night, and all faces wore traces 

 of anxiety. 



Early the next morning preparations were 

 made for a long weary walk to Covelo. The 

 two Indian women would not leave their ranch- 

 eria. When urged by Alfaretta to go with her, 

 Alamantapola replied, " Um Indian return 

 by'm-by. Me no 'fraid. White squaw go to 

 her people. Me stay with my people, um good- 

 by." Then the two women squatted stoically 

 on the ground, as was their custom, and they 

 crooned a song of farewell. 



"It shall be," said the doctor; "and while 

 we wait here, Fred may ride back to the 

 rancheria, whore perhaps he can find a saddle." 



As Fred disappeared, Alfaretta, addressing 

 the doctor, said, " Hut, doctor, do you own the 

 pony ? " 



" No, my dear, I do not; but is it possible, 

 Alfaretta, that you never remember riding that 

 pony ? " 



" I certainly do not, doctor." 



" That," said the doctor, " is your own pony, 

 and the one Fred has told you about so many 

 times." 



"Oh dear, dear!" said Alfaretta, leaning her 



TAKE THAT, YOU LOW-LIVED MISCREANT!" 



The little party, now reduced in numbers, 

 had proceeded but a mile when they saw a 

 couple of riderless ponies coming in the dis- 

 tance. When they approached, one of them 

 proved to be Alfaretta's pony Jack. 



" Up to his old tricks," said Fred ; " has taken 

 French leave of the Indians, and made for 

 home, and how opportune!" 



Fred and the doctor looked anxiously toward 

 Alfaretta, and she, her face lighting up with 

 a smile, said, " What a pretty pony I I do wish 

 it were mine." 



head upon her hands; "this is all so strange. 

 1 wonder if I shall know my own people." 



For half an hour they conversed about her 

 past insanity, and the great change that had 

 been wrought for her in the beautiful valley; 

 and while she was now sane, the valley Itself 

 had gone crazy. 



Fred soon returned, having found the saddle; 

 and with the two ponies Alfaretta and the doc- 

 tor were provided with easier transportation. 



When the little party entered Covelo, Alfa- 

 retta was recognized as the lost young lady. 



