Ill try, rejoined Lucinda, suppressing her fears because of his eagerhope.
And Ive a hunch no pioneer ever had a better one.
Oh, but Im glad youre such a strapping girl!
And heavygloves, my dear, and a silk scarf to keep the dust from choking you.
At her call the oxen lurched on, and again she was enveloped. It had to do with
a strange sense of familiarity whenshe had never before been in a forest. She
had her first inkling of thevalue of such animals to the settlers in the
wilderness. Wouldnt you expect that from a school teacher? The time came,
however, when she realized her mistake.
But what would she do when heleft the wagon to handle the cattle? He was at full
gallop in pursuit of some of his stock. Clouds were wanting in thebrightening
sky and the wind had abated. You must give me plenty of time and be prepared to
pack a lot more. But Lucinda was more atease because the cold wind was shut off
and the sun shone now and then. It had to do with a strange sense of familiarity
whenshe had never before been in a forest.
The ring of an axe and splitting of wood told her that Loganhad begun his work.
She was crossing alevel grassy place when Coyote sprang back with a bark. Coyote
regarded her with intelligent eyes,as if she understood Lucindas predicament.
Shes no good, because she wont run cattle, anfights the other dogs. Well sure be
loaded, specially if you buy a lot more.
She returned to the fire and warmed her hands over the blaze. What if a herd of
buffalo or bandof Indians broke out of the woods.
At her call the oxen lurched on, and again she was enveloped. The lonely night
clampeddown upon the forest. The exercise made her blood tingle, but she was
gladto warm hands and feet at the fire.
Come, doggie, you can sleepright here at my feet. Their freckled faces expressed
glee and excitement. It must have been an ordinary sight in Flagg, because the
fewpassers-by did not look twice at it.

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