mehow, it always seemed blacker and stiller there than anywhere else
on earth. But perhaps the moon would come up. That would be lots of
company, and the weather was so warm that he would really enjoy
sleeping out in the open air. Eagerly he scanned the evening sky, and
perceiving that the east appeared to be growing lighter, his spirits
began to rise. After all, he was not sorry he had run away. Wouldn't
there be consternation in the Eagles' Nest when his absence was
discovered? How Tabitha would regret her unwarranted harshness! And
Toady--Toady would cry and snivel because he had deserted his dear, big
brother in his hour of need. And searching parties would be sent all
over the country to find him. How he gloated over the pictures his
vivid imagination had drawn!

But all the while he stumbled on, it was growing darker, the landscape
had become an indistinct blur, and night sounds filled the air. The
lonely howl of a wolf in the distance sent a chill of fear down
Billiard's spine; the scream of a night-hawk overhead made him jump
almost out of his shoes, and he was just beginning to consider where he
should lie down to sleep when a sudden scurry in the underbrush froze
him in his tracks. The next minute, however, he laughed at his fright,
for it was merely a mother burro and her baby colt which his steps had
routed from their hiding-place and sent flying across the flats for
safety. A twig snapping sharply under his feet startled him; what
sounded like a warning hiss close by brought his heart into his mouth;
and trembling from head to foot he paused by a clump of Spanish
bayonets, uncertain what to do next.

Oh, if only he had not run away! If only he were sitting with the rest
of the lively troop of children around the supper table! Or perhaps it
was too late for supper now. More likely they would be preparing for
bed. What frolics they had enjoyed in the evenings when Tabitha made
taffy and recited stirring ballads to fill in the moments while the
toothsome sweet was cooking. What exciting tales his cousins told of
the brave, black-haired maid whom he was trying so hard to hate. He
did hate her! That is, sometimes he did. But he could not help
admiring her pluck, even though he stood in awe of the fierce temper
that blazed up so quickly, and as quickly died away again. She was
certainly a wonder for a girl. There was no 'fraid cat about her. He
wished she liked him better. But how could s