l; but before he had been nestling by her side five
minutes his eyes were closed in slumber; and the mother, her mind
reaching out to the absent father, spent the hours of the night in
wakefulness, watching over her children.

The sun had risen before Dick's eyes were opened; and springing to his
feet quickly, ashamed of having slept while his mother kept guard, he
said,--

"I didn't mean to hang on here like a baby while you were awake,
mother, but my eyes shut before I knew it."

"It is well you rested, my son. Nothing could have been done had you
remained awake."

"Perhaps not; but I should have felt better, because if anything has
happened to father, though I don't say it can be possible, I'm the one
who must take care of you and Margie."

Mrs. Stevens kissed the boy, not daring to trust herself to speak; and
he hurried out, for there was before him a full day's work, if he would
do that which he had decided upon in his mind the evening previous.

There was no reasonable hope any one would come that way for many
days--perhaps months.

They were alone, and whatever was done must be accomplished by this
thirteen-year-old boy.

"I'm going after something for breakfast, mother, and then count on
trying to follow father's trail," Dick said, after looking around in
every direction, even though he knew there was no possibility of
seeing any human being.

"There is no reason why you should spend the time in trying to get
food for us, Dick dear. Margie and I can get on very well without
breakfast, and you will have the more time to hunt for your father;
but remember, my boy, that you are the only one we can depend upon
now, and without you we might remain here until we starved."

"I'll take good care not to go so far from the wagon but that I can
find my way back; for surely I'll be able to follow on my own trail,
if there's no other. Hadn't I better do a little hunting first?"

"Not unless you are very, very hungry, Dick. Food would choke me just
now, and there is enough of the bread we baked yesterday morning to
give you and Margie an apology for a breakfast."

"I can get along without; you shall eat my share. Now, don't worry if
I'm not back until near sunset. The horses are close at hand, and you
may be certain they won't stray while the feed is plentiful. Stay in
the wagon, even though there is nothing to harm you if you walk
around. We must be careful that no more trouble comes upon us; so keep
under co