!88 IN SUMMER. 



discovered that my farmer neighbor had two 

 skeletons, and of one of which he neither had 

 any use nor knowledge of its existence. When 

 apprised of the fact, he expressed no surprise, 

 but resolutely declined my offer to become the 

 custodian of the superfluous bones, and even 

 went so far as to make appropriation next to im- 

 possible. But I bided my time, and now, these 

 bright June days, the grain kindly covers the 

 ground and every creeping thing upon it, as it 

 proved when a dog bounded into the field on the 

 trail of a rabbit. I forthwith took the hint and 

 crept upon the trail of a dead Indian. The 

 danger of discovery real, not fancied gave 

 something of zest to the work. With only a 

 garden trowel, the earth, over a marked spot, 

 was carefully removed, and as I had all the 

 while to lie upon my breast while at work, the 

 task was a painfully slow one, and I more than 

 once wished myself away, until a few small 

 bones were brought to light. Then all thought 

 of discomfort vanished. Bone after bone was 

 slowly uncovered, but all, alas ! were so friable 

 that not one could be removed with safety. In 

 a short time the entire skeleton was laid bare, 

 but under what strange circumstances ! I had 

 it within my grasp, but could not move it, nor 

 indeed myself, more than to crouch in the tall 

 grain about me. It was too like digging one's 



