“Why, Momsy looks better already just for the sight of you farmers,” said Margie.
CHAPTER XXXIII
FIGHTING FOR THEIR HOME
Early the next morning the boys, who had slept in Steve’s cabin while their mother and sisters had used Jennie’s room, were awakened by Andy, who was talking earnestly to Steve.
Starting to rise up on his elbow, Phil was pulled back by his brother, who motioned him to lie quiet and listen.
“I don’t know whether we shall be able to stop it or not,” the agent was saying. “It’s a pity that Mrs. Porter and the girls couldn’t have waited a bit longer. It will be an awful disappointment to them to get out here and then find their claim wiped out. I came back by way of the camp and sent your jacks over to E 1. I told Thomas to put them at work hauling the brush we’ve cleared off back onto the fields at the west. I opened the head gate as I came along. From the way things were going, I don’t believe it will be possible to save Jay’s. He and Joy were packing up what stuff they could and loading it into their old schooner. They’re going to bring them and their livestock over to the boys’ shakedown. If we can’t stop the fire at E 1, it will sweep the country right through to your camp. Be quiet about going out so as not to waken Ted and Phil. I’m afraid they would be so anxious to help that they would get into trouble. They don’t know anything about fighting fire.”
“You may think you can keep us from fighting for our home, but you can’t!” declared Ted, leaping from the bed.
“And we’ll show you that we aren’t such duffers, after all,” added his brother. “We’re going with you—and you can’t keep us away.”
“But how about your mother and sisters?” queried Steve. “One of you ought to stay here with them and quiet them. If I had my way, you’d both stay. Two men more or less will not make any difference in checking the fire.”
At the thought of the little woman and the girls, the young homesteaders looked at one another in dismay.