ing, and
the horses presented a skeleton-like appearance.

The family had suffered outwardly quite as much as the goods. Young
Dick and his father wore clothing which had been patched and repatched
with anything Mrs. Stevens could push a needle through, until it would
have been impossible to say what was the original material; but to a
boy thirteen years of age this seemed a matter of little consequence,
while his father preferred such a costume rather than exert himself to
tan deer-hides for one more serviceable.

Mrs. Stevens and six-year-old Margie were in a less forlorn condition as
to garments; but they also needed a new outfit sadly, and nearly every
day young Dick told them confidentially that he would attend to the
matter immediately after arriving at Willow Point, even if it became
necessary for him to sell his rifle, the only article of value he owned.

"Once across the desert, mother," he said, as the sorry-looking team was
drawn up by the side of the pool, and he began to unharness the horses
while his father went in search of game for supper, "and then we shall
be well on our way to the old home we had no business to leave."

"It is this portion of the journey that worries me most, Dick. You
remember what a hard time we had when the animals were in good
condition; and now that they are hardly able to drag their own bones
along, the danger is great."

"No more than when we crossed the river; and even though father did
feel afraid there, we got along all right," was the cheerful reply.
"There should be plenty of game here, and after a square feed things
won't look so bad."

Mrs. Stevens turned wearily away to make preparations for the evening
meal in case the hunter should bring in a supply of meat, but made no
reply. She understood why young Dick spoke encouragingly, and felt proud
that the boy displayed so much tenderness for her; yet the fact could
not be disguised that dangers beset the little party on every hand.

It required but a small amount of labor in order to make ready for the
night.

Tired as the horses were, there was no likelihood of their straying
very far; and Dick simply removed the harness, allowing the animals to
roam at will. The wagon served as a camp; and the most arduous task
was that of gathering materials with which to make a fire, when
nothing larger than a bush could be seen on either hand.

Then there was no more to be done save await the return of the
hunter, and it wa