tell you."

Pan did not seek Lucy in the orchard. Leaping upon the sorrel he loped
down the sandy hard-packed path toward the brook and the shady tree
with its bench. Pan knew she would be there. Dodging the overhanging
branches he kept peering through the aisles of green for a glimpse of
white or a golden head. Suddenly he was rewarded. Lucy stood in the
middle of the sunny glade.

Pan rode to her side and leaped from the saddle. Her face was pale,
and wet with tears. But her eyes were now dry, wide and purple,
radiant with unutterable gladness. She rushed into his arms.

Dinner that day appeared to be something only Bobby and Pan had thought
or need of. Mrs. Smith and Lucy, learning they might have to leave in
two weeks, surely in four, became so deeply involved in discussion of
practical details of preparation, of food supplies for a long wagon
trip, of sewing and packing, that they did not indulge in the
expression of their joy.

"Dad is hopeless," said Pan, with a grin. "He's worse than a kid.
I'll have to pack his outfit, if he has anything. What he hasn't got,
we'll buy. So, Mother, you trot out his clothes, boots, some bedding,
a gun, chaps, spurs, everything there is, and let me pick what's worth
taking."

It was indeed a scant and sad array of articles that Pan had to choose
from.

"No saddle, no tarp, no chaps, no spurs, no gun!" ejaculated Pan,
scratching his head. "Poor Dad! I begin to have a hunch how he felt."

It developed that all his father possessed made a small bundle that Pan
could easily carry into town on his saddle.

"We'll buy Dad's outfit," said Pan briskly. "Mother, here's some
money. Use it for what you need. Work now, you and Lucy. You see we
want to get out of Marco pronto. The very day Dad and I get back with
the horses. Maybe we can sell the horses out there. I'd take less
money. It'll be a big job driving a bunch of wild horses in to Marco.
Anyway, we'll leave here pronto."

To Lucy he bade a fond but not anxious good-by. "We won't be away
long. And you'll be busy. Don't go into town! Not on any account.
Send Alice. Or Mother can go when necessary. But you stay home."

"Very well, boss, I promise," replied Lucy roguishly.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Before dark that night Pan had most of his preparations made, so that
next morning there would be nothing to do but eat, pack the horses,
saddle up and ride.

At suppertime Charley Brown and Mac New,