le deep streams that
would drown you, honey. Just put confidence in me, and when I get over
my head, I'll holler for help. I judge I can put five good years' work
on you without exhausting my stores. I can read amongst the small
words pretty peart--the young calves, so to say--and lots of them big
steers in three or four syllables,--I can sort o' guess at their
road-brands from the company I've saw 'em traveling with, in times
past. And I can write my own name, and yours too, I reckon.--Lahoma
Gledware--yes, I'm toler'ble well versed on a capital 'G'--you just
make a gap with a flying tail to it."

"My name NOT Lahoma Gledware," she interposed in some severity. "My
name, Lahoma Willock. Beautiful name--lovely, like flower--Willock;
call me Lahoma Willock--like song of little stream. Gledware,
hard--rough."

Brick Willock stared at her in amazement. "Where'd you get that from?"

"My name Lahoma Willock--Red Feather tell me."

He smoked in silence, puffing rapidly. Then--"My name is Brick
Willock. How came you to be named Lahoma Willock?"

Lahoma suggested thoughtfully--"All white people named Willock?"

"There's a few," Willock shook his head, "with less agreeable names.
But after all, I'm glad you have my name. Yes--the more I think on it,
the more pleased I get. I reckon we're sort of kinfolks, anyhow. Well,
honey, this is enough talk about being civilized; now let's make the
first move on the way. You want to see your mother's grave, and lay
some of these wild flowers on it. That's a part of being civilized,
caring for graves is. It's just savages as forgets the past and
consequently never learns nothing. Come along. Them moccasins will do
famous until I can get you shoes from the settlements. It's seventy
mile to Vernon, Texas, and none too easy miles. But I got a pony the
first time I ventured to Doan's store, and it'll carry you, if I have
to walk at your side. We'll make a festibul march of that journey, and
lay in clothes as a girl should wear, and books to last through the
winter."

Willock rose and explained that they must cross the mountain. As they
traversed it, he reminded her that she had not gathered any of the
flowers that were scattered under sheltering boulders.

"Why?" asked Lahoma, showing that her neglect to do so was intentional.

"Well, honey, don't you love and honor that mother that bore so much
pain and trouble for you, traveling with you in her arms to the
Oklahoma