with
which to pay for it if a shop were near at hand."

Dick ceased his questioning, and set about performing such work around
the camp as might well have been left undone until the next day.

A generous supply of broiled venison was made ready, and the boy ate
heartily; after which he went into the wagon, telling his mother he
would play the part of nurse until dark, when she could take his place.

Once in the vehicle, partially screened from view, Dick, after much
search for the bit of a lead-pencil his father owned, wrote on a piece
of brown paper that had contained the last ten pounds of flour Mr.
Stevens had purchased, the following words,--

DEAR MOTHER,--I know you won't let me go to Antelope Spring if I
tell you about what I'm minded to do, so I shall slip off the
first thing in the morning. I'll take my rifle with me, and by
selling it, get what stuff daddy needs. I can talk with a doctor
too; and when I come back we'll fix the poor old man up in great
shape.

Don't worry about me, for I can get across without any bother.
I'm going to take the canteen and some slices of meat, so I
sha'n't be hungry or thirsty. I count on being back in three
days; but if I'm gone five you mustn't think anything has gone
wrong, for it may be a longer trip than I'm reckonin' on.

I love you, and daddy, and Margie mighty well; and this footing
it across the desert ain't half as dangerous as you think for.

Your son,

DICKEY.

When this had been done, he kissed his father twice, smoothed the hair
back from the pale, damp forehead, and whispered,--

"I'm going so's you'll get well, my poor old man; and you mustn't make
any kick, 'cause it's _got_ to be done."

Then he came out as if tired of playing the nurse, and proposed that
he sleep under the wagon that night.

"With all hands inside, daddy would be crowded; and I'm as well off
out-of-doors. Kiss me, mother, for I'm mighty tired."

CHAPTER III.

A SAND-STORM.

In this proposal to retire thus early Mrs. Stevens saw nothing to
excite her suspicions regarding Dick's real intentions.

He had worked for thirty-six hours almost incessantly; and it would
not be strange if this unusual exertion, together with the weariness
caused by excitement, had brought him to the verge of exhaustion.

His mother would have i