full of water, was set on a glowing part of the fire. Then he brought into
use a huge, heavy knife, a murderous-looking implement it appeared to
Carley, with which he cut slices of ham. These he dropped into the second
pot, which he left uncovered. Next he removed the flour sack and other
inpedimenta from the table, and proceeded to set places for two--blue-enamel
plate and cup, with plain, substantial-looking knives, forks, and spoons.
He went outside, to return presently carrying a small crock of butter.
Evidently he had kept the butter in or near the spring. It looked dewy and
cold and hard. After that he peeped under the lid of the pot which
contained the biscuits. The other pot was sizzling and smoking, giving
forth a delicious savory odor that affected Carley most agreeably. The
coffee-pot had begun to steam. With a long fork Glenn turned the slices of
ham and stood a moment watching them. Next he placed cans of three sizes
upon the table; and these Carley conjectured contained sugar, salt, and
pepper. Carley might not have been present, for all the attention he paid
to her. Again he peeped at the biscuits. At the edge of the hot embers he
placed a tin plate, upon which he carefully deposited the slices of ham.
Carley had not needed sight of them to know she was hungry; they made her
simply ravenous. That done, he poured the pan of sliced potatoes into the
pot. Carley judged the heat of that pot to be extreme. Next he removed the
lid from the other pot, exposing biscuits slightly browned; and evidently
satisfied with these, he removed them from the coals. He stirred the slices
of potatoes round and round; he emptied two heaping tablespoonfuls of
coffee into the coffee-pot.

"Carley," he said, at last turning to her with a warm smile, "out here in
the West the cook usually yells, 'Come and get it.' Draw up your stool."

And presently Carley found herself seated across the crude table from
Glenn, with the background of chinked logs in her sight, and the smart of