In less than two weeks, through kindness and good care, they were changed into clean, sleek, beautiful bays, just as Mr. Thompson had said they would be. In a month the boys could ride them anywhere, and the acme of their happiness was reached.
The animals had strayed from some band of wild horses and had drifted along with the herd of buffaloes, as was not infrequently the case in the early days on the great plains.
CHAPTER III
THE BOYS GO FISHING FOR THE FIRST TIME—AN IDEA SUDDENLY STRIKES ROB—ROB'S QUEST AND LUCK—THE ISLAND OF WILLOWS—ROB'S BIG CAT—JOE'S TUSSLE WITH A PANTHER CUB—KILLS HIM—IS WOUNDED—SKINS THE ANIMAL, AND GETS HOME AT LAST—GIVES THE BEAUTIFUL ROBE TO HIS MOTHER
The winter, contrary to their expectations, was not a severe one. The family had been used to the long, dreary, cold months of a New England winter, and were agreeably surprised when April arrived with its sunny skies, delicious breezes, and wild flowers covering the prairies.
One morning, when his father was just starting for the little village of Ellsworth, six miles distant, for a load of lumber, Rob asked him to buy some hooks and lines.
"Father," said he, "Oxhide Creek is just full of bull-pouts, perch, cat and buffalo fish. Joe and I want to go fishing to-day, if you return in time."