es' silence.

Whether it was the weather or their unusual exertions of the preceding
day or the menace of the drouth, that weighed upon them, it would be
hard to say, but their interest in the Old Mission and the Indian mound
on the Cook place was languid. Perhaps Ernest had been right when he
declared that they were more interesting to hear about than to see. "It
looks just like other houses, only the walls are thicker and the stone
chimneys go clear down to the ground outside!" Katy exclaimed,
distinctly disappointed at the appearance of the one-time fort.

"Of course, it was just a schoolhouse. They used it for a fort because
it was stronger than any of the other houses, and, being all of stone,
the Indians couldn't set it on fire so easy."

The Indian mound looked as if somebody had made a nice symmetrical sand
pile about twenty feet high out in the middle of the prairie and then
grassed it over neatly.

"If we could cut into it after the fashion of a birthday cake," said
Captain Clarke, "you would find some very interesting things inside, I
imagine, weapons and iron utensils. I should think Mr. Cook would take
the trouble to explore it some day."

"I guess he isn't interested in anything unless he sees a dollar close
by," Ernest replied.

They had dinner at the one decently kept hotel in Garland, and scattered
along the comfortable veranda afterwards to rest and cool off.

Ernest pointed out the place near the top of the bluff where a dark spot
in the rocky ledge revealed the location of the hermit's cave. "Who is
ready for the climb?" he asked, rejoining the others.

"I pass," said Dick from the depths of a willow porch chair.

"And I," Marian echoed.

"I am just dying to go, Ernest, but it wouldn't be proper for me to
desert my liege Lord." Alice shot a mischievous glance at the occupant
of the willow chair.

"I couldn't think of leaving our guests," Frank stopped smoking long
enough to say.

"Put it to a vote, Ernest, and save us the trouble of inventing
excuses," remarked the Captain dryly.

"Resolved--That we stay right where we are until train time. All in
favor----" He was not permitted to continue. A chorus of "Ayes" drowned
him out, the Captain leading.

And they stayed until train time.

"What is it," queried Ernest as they started homeward, "about a railroad
train that makes one so crazy to go along?"

"Is it the train, or merely your love of adventure?" suggested Captain
Clarke.