BILL MCCLAIN PROSPECTOR 203 



and bravely. The burros gave no heed to the 

 commotion. Suddenly a score of long ears rose 

 alertly, and ten noses pointed eagerly toward 

 McClain's cabin. The burros had discovered 

 its open door. One burro, eager with curiosity, 

 forged ahead, evidently determined to eat every- 

 thing in the cabin as quickly as possible, provided 

 his pack would allow him to enter. He never 

 got in. Joe hurled himself at the intruder as 

 though a giant had flung him. In a minute not a 

 burro was to be seen, but a rapidly drifting cloud 

 of dust down the gulch indicated that they were 

 still travelling. 



Regan had trained Joe to carry wood and 

 water. He carried the wood one stick at a time. 

 In getting water, he held the bucket bail in his 

 teeth, and with a quick nod of the head dipped 

 and filled the bucket at a deep hole in the river. 

 Of course he had a good influence on the other 

 dogs. By the time yellow leaves on the aspen 

 told of autumn, the dogs were far less noisy, 

 and two of them were proudly carrying in the 

 wood for their masters. 



One after another of the prospectors "went 

 out" for the winter, and by the time the snow 

 began falling there were in the gulch only 

 McClain, Clark, and Williams. These three 

 were so pleased with the showing in their mines 

 that they planned to remain all winter. 



