"That's what," echoed Jean, as she brought on the beans and bacon.
"Scotty knew more in a minute than half of us can ever learn/' cried Marjorie, with whom he was a favorite.
"Yes," said the Captain, dryly. "He's a genius, Scotty is! He'll turn up presently. Doubtless he's off somewhere studying a new stratum of storm-clouds. He has killed two of my leaders already by making them start the whole load while his mind was on the incomprehensible and unknowable in nature. But I'll wager he knows enough to look out for himself in a crisis."
"He was a whole mine of information about other things, if he didn't know much about driving oxen," sobbed Jean.
"He isn't dead!" exclaimed Mrs. McAlpin. "I mean to continue the search myself to-night."
"You'll get caught by a panther!" cried Bobbie. "I haven't seen 'em, but I know they 're there!"
"Where, Bobbie?" asked Marjorie.
"Up in the gulch. I can see 'em with my eyes shut!" and the child, not understanding the laugh that followed at his expense, hastened to the wagon where his mother lay, to receive the consolation that never failed him.
"It won't be against the laws of God or man for me to love Rollin if he is dead," said Mrs. McAlpin to herself, as she crept shivering from her retreat in her wagon to the ground. Throwing a shawl over her head, she hastened out in the direction in which Scotty was hurrying when she had last seen him. The cattle, quite satisfied from the unusual effects of a day's rest and a full meal, chewed their cuds quietly, or lay asleep in the best sheltered spots they could command, breathing heavily. She wandered fearlessly among them, calling frequently for the lost man, but received no response save an occasional " moo "from an awakened cow, or a friendly neigh from Sukie, who was tethered near.
