SUMMER DIVERSION 317 



become the most effectual method of checking wild 

 oats' scourge in this neighbourhood. 



On the afternoon before the fair at the Fort, as 

 I went out to relieve Pat of his team at harrowing- 

 time, I saw Thomas walk away from the plough. 



" They're that set on having me with them 

 to-morrow," said Pat. " They'll likely be having a 

 race. Mr. Dennison has lent them the buggy, 

 Si Booth will drive the baulky mare, and Thomas 

 says he will be riding. ' Ye're throwin' away boot- 

 leather and your throuble, Thomas, coming over,' 

 I tould him, ' for, faith, ye'll not be seeing me at 

 Fort Qu'Appelle fair.' " 



" Pat, I know you must be wanting to go with 

 them all," I said. " It's very plain-sailing just 

 here, I can finish quite a piece of the section during 

 the afternoon, and next week we can get on to the 

 last, and maybe we can catch out those oats after 

 all." 



After a few orthodox protestations, not quite up 

 to his usual form, Pat yielded to my suggestion, and 

 the next day after dinner he vanished across the 

 field in his Sunday clothes. 



On the morning after the fair I awoke with a 

 sense of vexation and walked to the window. At 

 the gateway of the pasture the horse which Si Booth 

 had ridden stood bridled, but without any hint of 

 an owner. 



Pat's room was empty, the bed had not been 

 slept in. I caught the horse easily and put him in 

 a stable, and after breakfast I harnessed the team 

 and waited until I could nurse my wrath no longer, 

 and walked over to my neighbour's dwelling, expect- 

 ing to find them all there with a penitent Pat. 



