332 RECREATION. 



Everything went well all summer one of those that only come to us once 



but after a while, when the leaves on or twice in a lifetime and that we 



the quaking asp began to turn yellow, never forget. I was a boy again, back 



when the grouse took to the high tim- in the States, on the old farm at home, 



bers, when coyotes howled louder and It was evening and I was sitting in the 



closer to the ranch, the cattle came corner by the big fireplace. The old 



down from the Gowell hills and we tabby cat was asleep at my feet. Pa 



could see old Mose and his family of was reading a New York paper, while 



cubs tracking over from Black moun- Ma was going about doing up the 



tain to the Burrows hills ; then we supper dishes and putting things in 



knew winter was coming. Mave order for the night. Then she drew 



knew it too and Dad had not come yet. her chair up beside me and Pa put 



Then the boy changed. We would aside his paper, took from the table 



hear him moan in his sleep and ask the big Old Book and read. I can't 



for Dad; and all day he Would go remember all he read for he skipped 



about the ranch with scarcely a word about from one place to another, but 



to say. He was pining away for his I caught something about sparrows 



father to come for him. Then he be- not falling to the ground without His 



came sick. Of course we were not notice ; then he added : "Yea, though 



slow in getting a doctor, though it I walk through the valley of the 



meant a 40 mile ride to Canyon City, shadow of death I will fear no evil 



The doctor staid all day and one night, for Thou art with me." 



watching by the little fellow, but told Then they knelt down, but I did not 



us it was useless ; the boy was dying stay for prayer. I had business at 



to see his Dad. If we could fetch the Stirrup ranch. Back through space 



Dad all right; if not, the doctor just I was carried by that mysterious 



coughed and rode away, for he knew something which none of us under- 



we were mighty fond of the boy. stands ; back from my boyhood home, 



Blue days those were for us and we Ohio, to the mountains of Colorado, 



could not do a thing but wait. If we and I awoke ! 



had known Dad's name or anything The boys were standing around the 



about him we should have had some- little bunk. No one said a word, but 



thing to work on ; but as it was we I just got down on my knees afid 



might as well have hunted for a rattle- prayed. Guess it was the first prayer 



snake above timber line. the old cabin ever heard. What I said 



Then it snowed, not much at first, I wouldn't tell you if I could, but I 



nor hard. Each morning old Sangre didn't waste any time telling the Lord 



de Cristo looked whiter than the day what an unworthy bunch of critters 



before ; the big cuts and rough sides we were at the Stirrup ranch. He 



of the hills grew smoother and whiter, knew that already. I didn't pray for 



We knew if Dad did not come soon the heathen in China, the nigger in 



he could not get over the pass till the Africa or the President and Senate of 



next spring. the United States, though I reckon 



We took turns watching, but one they all needed it bad enough. I just 



night Mave was so bad we all staid up. kept in mind what I had heard in my 



It was my turn to watch. I was close dream. I figured if He was keeping 



by the bunk and could hear him moan tally on sparrows falling to the 



and call for Dad. I knew something ground He wouldn't go back on poor 



had to be done soon, but what? I little Mave, if we came to Him in 



put my head down in my hand and the right way, and that's what I tried 



tried to think, but, strange as it may to do, for I knew we were in the val- 



seem, I fell asleep ; and I dreamed ; ley of the shadow of death, or, as it 



not a common, every night dream, but seemed to me, in a great, deep canon, 



