as she
rolled out some crackers, "it is a blessed good thing I went to
cooking-school, but I wish that, instead of being so particular about
the knobs on the candlesticks, the Pentateuch had given Sarah's recipe
for making cakes with honey. Not that I have any honey, but I am sure
we shall find some on this trip."

When they were all ready, and the burros stood waiting at the door,
with Lassie jumping wildly about them, Adam wrote a placard which he
stuck in the framework of the door. The stock had been turned loose on
the mountain-side, and the house and stables secured as well as
possible against any storms that might arise. The kittens had
possession of one of the sheds. The puppies were to accompany them.

Robin had put on her long unused shoes, and a new gown that she had
made out of a dark blue serge found hanging in her room. Adam looked
at her approvingly from under his wide sombrero. She turned back,
after going a few paces, and read the card.

WAIT!

APRIL 5th.

Back in two weeks.

Look for smoke.

As she passed into the canon that hid their home from sight, Adam saw
her brush her hand across her eyes.

IX

I pity the man who can travel from Dan to Beersheba and cry, "'Tis
all barren."

STERNE.

They traveled a due west course, crossing the two ranges, wending
their way through dim defiles and along precipitous canons, until they
saw the sea. Here its mood was summer-like. Even in the short time
that had elapsed it had worn itself a broad, smooth beach, and wide
tracts of land between the sand and the base of the mountains proved
that the earth had been thrown up, or that the water had receded. They
had not looked upon the ocean before for many months.

They picketed the burros on the rank, salt grass, and built their
camp-fire early, and while Robin set the potatoes baking, and began
her supper preparations, Adam went scouting along the coast. In less
than half an hour he came back with a quantity of clams which he threw
down before her as proudly as if they had been foreign battle-flags.
She gave a little feminine shriek of delight.

"Now I know why we brought that inconvenient iron pot," she said;
"bring it here, please."

Adam brought it, and watched her slice up onions and potatoes and stir
in the various ingredients.

"It is going to be the best chowder you ever tasted," she said, "even
if we haven't any bacon. When you write the veracious tale of