30,000 On the Hoof by Zane Grey Read Free Book Online

Holbert and Logan in a discussion of cattle.
    "What a strange dog!" exclaimed Lucinda, who loved dogs. "Is he a shepherd?"
    "Half shepherd an' half wolf," replied the settler's wife. "Her mother is John's best cattle-dog."
    "How interesting! Half wolf? I never saw a wolf. What's her name?"
    "Reckon she hasn't none. She's no good, because she won't run cattle, an' fights the other dogs. John would be glad toil get rid of her."
    "Logan," asked Lucinda, eagerly interrupting the trio of, men, "may I have this dog, if Mr. Holbert will give her to me?"
    "Why, sure. How about it, Holbert?"
    "You're welcome, if you can get her to go with you," replied the settler.
    Lucinda made overtures to the unwanted wolf-dog, and they were accepted.
    When presently Lucinda grew so drowsy from the hot fire that she could scarcely keep her eyes open, Logan came to her rescue. They bade their new friends goodnight and left for their wagon. The dog came readily with Lucinda.
    "Rustle up to bed before you freeze again," said Logan, helping her along. "And here's your dog. I like his looks. I'll bet he sticks to you."
    "It's a she, Logan. What'll I call her?... Come, doggie, you can sleep right here at my feet."
    "A good name always comes... Luce, I'll go back and finish my deal with Holbert. He'll sell me some stock very cheap and give me more on credit.
    The drawback is there's no one here to help me drive the cattle. But by gosh! if you'll drive the oxen I'll drive all the cattle Holbert will let me have."
    "I'll try," rejoined Lucinda, suppressing her fears because of his eager hope.
    "There's an old homestead half-way to our place. If we can make that to-morrow night and turn the stock inside the fence we'll be jake. Next night we'll be home!"
    Lucinda pulled off her boots, and folding, her coat for a pillow, crawled under the blankets. The dog nestled close to her. Outside, the wind was blowing a gale. As Logan had laced up the front flaps of the wagon, Lucinda was protected. But to hear it was enough. It whistled hauntingly around the canvas and roared through the trees overhead and swept away, scattering the pebbles and propelling the dust along the road. Finally Lucinda's drowsy spell ended in sleep.
    Logan's voice penetrated Lucinda's deep slumbers. "Daybreak, Luce! Pile out and get going... Did your dog stay with you?... Well, she did, by gosh!
    No man or varmint who ever pleased you would quit."
    "Compliment so early?--Oh, Logan, I can't get up. It's so nice and warm in here. Ugh!... I guess I'm a tenderfoot."
    "Well, Luce dear, you won't be one by nightfall, that's a good bet," replied Huett, grimly. "I'm going to start you out with the oxen and follow you with the stock. Then I'll be close to you. So you can't stop to pick flowers by the roadside."
    The day promised better than yesterday. Clouds were wanting in the brightening sky and the wind had abated. Still Lucinda's fingers ached again when she had laced her boots. After breakfast the womenfolk detained Lucinda for a little, while Holbert accompanied Logan out to the wagon. But Lucinda soon followed, promising to stop on her first trip into Flagg.
    "Hope thet'll be soon. But winter's comin'," called Mrs. Holbert after her. "Don't get in front of thet bull John sold your man. He's wilder'n a skeered jack-rabbit!"
    Lucinda's breast felt as if it had suddenly been crushed. She was glad the Holberts could not see her face as she ran off, with the dog leaping at her side. Her husband and Holbert were not in sight, but she heard a halloaing over in the corral. Presently Logan appeared riding one horse and leading another.
    "Climb aboard, Luce," he said briskly, in a matter-of-fact tone. "Better keep the dog with you. Here, coyote--say! there's a name for her."
    "Coyote? Oh, it's pretty," replied Lucinda, as she climbed up. "Here, lift her up... Well! She doesn't need to be packed. Logan, I believe she won't have to be tied."
    Huett leaped up to the seat and yelled: "Gadep!" The oxen moved