ll do some repairs on the fences this fall. I'm
ashamed of 'em!"

CHAPTER XX.

MORE WATER THAN THEY WANTED.

A doctor from North Mills came once a week to visit Cecie and the sick
mother and baby. One afternoon he brought in his chaise a saddle and
bridle, which he said a young fellow would call for in a day or two. The
boys laughed as they put the saddle away; they knew who the young fellow
was, and they hoped he would have a chance to use it.

Snowfoot's week was up the next forenoon; and at about ten o'clock Jack,
accompanied by Lion, and carrying a double-barrelled fowling-piece, with
which he had shot a brace of prairie hens by the way, walked into the
Betterson door-yard.

He found the boys at the lower end of the house, with the steers and
wagon.

"What's the news?" he asked.

"The news with us is, that we're out of rainwater," Rufe replied.

"I should think so," said Jack, looking into a dry hogshead which stood
under the eaves-spout.

"It's too much of a bother to bring all our water by the pailful. So we
are going to fill these things at the river and make the steers haul
'em."

There were three wash-tubs and a barrel, which the boys were putting up
on the bottom boards of the wagon-box, from which the sides had been
removed.

Jack was pleased with this appearance of enterprise; he also noticed
with satisfaction that the yard had been cleared up since he last saw
it.

He asked about Vinnie, and learned from the looks and answers the boys
gave him that she was popular.

"Your saddle came yesterday," said Wad; "so I s'pose you expect to ride
home."

"I feel rather inclined that way. How is our friend Peakslow?"

"Don't know; he went to Chicago, and he hasn't got back."

"Hasn't got back!" said Jack, astonished. "That's mean business!"

He smothered his vexation, however, and told the boys that he would go
with them to the river, after he had spoken with Vinnie.

Entering the house, he was still more surprised at the changes which had
taken place since his last visit.

"Her coming has been the greatest blessing!" said Caroline, detaining
him in the sitting-room. "We are all better,--the doctor noticed it
yesterday; Cecie and baby and I are all better. Lavinia dear will see
you presently; I think she is just taking some bread out of the oven."

"Let me go into the kitchen--she won't mind me," said Jack.

Vinnie, rosy-red from her baking, met him at the door. He had been very
an