of some kind," he whispered as he picked up another
basket. "Hear the little devils clink, eh? Must be coffee and tea, hey?
Yes, shore enough it is. Good Lord, how hungry I am--wish I had eaten that
breakfast this morning--how in thunder did I know we was going to be so
late? I'll be the strong man at this picnic, all right!"

"Here are some blankets, William," called Mrs. Shields. "Helen, would you
mind showing him how to carry that box?--he's sure to turn it upside down
if you don't."

"Next!" he cried, returning from the trip with the blankets. "I put them
blankets up on top, Mrs. Shields, is it all right? How do you do, Miss
Helen, any more freight?"

"How do you do," she replied. "This box is to go, please. Now, do be very
careful not to turn it up, or jar it!" she warned. "And put it on the seat
inside the coach where we can steady it."

"Gee, what's in it?" asked Bill, nearly dying from his curiosity. "Must
be the joker of the feast, eh?"

"Three layer cakes," she laughingly replied. "Chocolate, cocoanut and
lemon."

"Um!" he said. "I'll carry this one high up, it deserves it."

"Oh, do be careful!" she cried as he swooped it up to his shoulder. "Oh!"
she screamed as it thumped against the top of the door frame.

"Whoa! Back up!" cried Bill, executing the order. "Easy, boy--all right,
off we go!"

"Grace, Mary," cried Helen, "we are all ready to go!"

"Ain't there any more boxes?" asked Bill from the coach.

"Come, girls," cried Mrs. Shields as she stepped into the coach. "Close
the door after you, and lock it, dear."

Bill gallantly helped the ladies into the coach, grinned at the cake box
and started toward the front wheel when he was called back.

"Now, William," cautioned Mrs. Shields, laughing. "We will not be pursued
by Apaches to-day, and this cake must not be shaken!"

"You won't know you're riding, ma'am, you shore won't," he assured her as
he danced toward the front wheel again.

"Wake up there, you!" he yelled from the box. "Come on, Jerry, think
you're glued to the earth? Come on, Tom! Easy there, you fool jackrabbit!
--haven't you learned that you can't reach this high!"

When they had arrived at the A-Y the baskets were carried into the
ranch-house and the women became very busy getting things ready for the
feast. Bill took care of his team and then carried the blankets to the
grove.

While the picnic was being prepared there arose a series of blood-curdling
whoops off to the so