power on the arid plain. What mattered it to

Dick? He was far away in the shady groves of the

Mustang Valley, chasing the deer at times, but more

frequently cooling his limbs and sporting with Crusoe

in the bright blue lake. Now he was in his mother's

cottage, telling her how he had thought of her when

far away on the prairie, and what a bright, sweet word

it was she had whispered in his ear--so unexpectedly,

too. Anon he was scouring over the plains on horseback,

with the savages at his heels; and at such times