Ralphson George Harvey - Boy Scouts on the Open Plains; The Round-Up Not Ordered стр 23.

Still, that mother of Amos had brightened things up more or less, so that it could be seen the hand of a woman was around. A small garden lay back of the house, surrounded by a wire fence to keep animals from devouring the precious green stuff which was grown there.

Several dogs started toward them with yelps and deep-throated barking; and Jimmy unconsciously reached out a hand for the Marlin that was fastened to the pack of his burro. Jimmys dislike for wolves was shared by dogs of all kinds. He said it must have been born in him, since he could not remember ever having had any desperate adventure with canine foes while a kid.

Amos, however, threw oil on the troubled waters and, at the sound of his voice, the fury of the dogs changed instantly to a noisy greeting. They jumped up and fawned on the kid in a way that told how much they loved him. And, doubtless, instinct told each beast that those in company of the young master must also be friends; for, when Ned whistled and snapped his fingers, one of the dogs immediately started to approach, wagging his tail in a neighborly way.

A small-sized woman had come out of the dugout and stood there with a hand shading her eyes, as though to see who might be approaching. Ned noticed that she carried a shotgun in her other hand, and it struck him that a woman who might often be left at home alone in this strange country had need of knowing how to use some sort of firearm.

She looked very meek and did not seem to have very much snap and go about her. When Amos introduced the boys and told what a great favor they had done him, she went around shaking hands in an odd way; but evidently Mrs. Adams differed from the vast majority of her sex, for she did not seem to have much to say.

Gee! what a shame! Jimmy muttered in Neds ear.

What is? asked the scout master, also in a whisper.

Thats always the way it goes, continued the observing Jimmy, seems like there never was a shrinking little woman, as timid as they make em, but what she had to go and link herself with some big bully of a blustering man. Opposites seem to attract in this world; youve seen a speck of a girl pick out the tallest feller she could find, and the other way, too.

Yes, it does look like that, Jimmy, admitted Ned, as he tried to discover some trace of spunk about the little woman, and utterly failed.

Chances are, Jimmy continued, in his reflective way, that when this bad man of a Hy Adams, the worst case along the whole border, they say, gets on one of his tearin fits, he just makes Rome howl. And say, I can just see that poor timid little thing cowering down like a scared puppy when it hears its master raging. But, then, mebbe Amos he hangs around to sort of protect his maw; though it dont seem as if a small chap like him could do much along that line.

If he does, he didnt think it right to do any boasting that I can remember, Ned replied, again studying the mistress of the dugout, but without much success.

Mrs. Adams insisted on their resting a short while and taking a cup of coffee with her. Apparently,

she had some means of her own, for there seemed to be plenty to do with in the place; and when the boys saw the bunks used for sleeping they pronounced them not at all bad. Indeed Jimmy promptly began yawning; and, if any one had invited him to test one of the bunks, the chances are he would have only too willingly complied.

There was little said during the meal, at least by the mother of Amos. Perhaps, as Jimmy suggested in an aside to Ned, the weight of her troubles in being mated to a human hurricane like Hy Adams had taken all the life out of her, and hence she evinced but little interest in whatever happened.

Amos, as if to cover up this lack of conversational gifts on the part of his mother, kept the boys busy telling some of their past adventures. And, finally, Ned advised that they had better be getting ready to pull out, as considerable territory remained to be covered before they could expect to reach the cattle ranch buildings.

Youll sure look us up before long, Amos? he said to the lad, as they shook hands at parting.

I should say yes, added impulsive Jimmy; because Id hate to think I wasnt goin to see you again.

Amos looked serious.

I did promise you, didnt I? he observed slowly, and when I says a thing I nigh always keep my word; but I kinder reckon as how I mightnt be welcome over to the Double Cross Ranch.

You mean, because you have the hard luck to be connected with a bad man like Hy Adams? Harry remarked. But dont bother about a little thing like that. My two uncles are the kind of men who judge a fellow by what hes done himself, and not by his relations. Why, we had a bad egg in our family once, and seems to me he was hung or something of the kind. But thats no reason I ought to be, is it?

Er, I dont know about that, muttered Jimmy, with a sparkle in his fun-loving blue eyes.

The good-byes were said, and the scouts started again toward the southeast. Amos had given them full directions, so that there was no possibility of their going wrong. And as the day was far cooler than many they had experienced of late, all of them were feeling in fine spirits.