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With heroic and violent spirit Helen sat up to find that in the act her aches and pains appeared beyond nu for her boots, she found the it wide, essayed to get her sore foot down into it But her foot appeared swollen and the boot appeared shrunken She could not get it half on, though she expended what little strength seehed wickedly Her hair was tousled, her eyes dancing, her cheeks red
"Be gairl and PULL your boot on"
Whether Bo's scorn or advice made the task easier did not occur to Helen, but the fact was that she got into her boots Walking anda little appeared to loosen the stiff joints and ease that tired feeling The water of the streairls washed was colder than any ice Helen had ever felt It almost paralyzed her hands Bo mumbled, and blew like a porpoise They had to run to the fire before being able to comb their hair The air onderfully keen The daas clear, bright, with a red glow in the east where the sun was about to rise
"All ready, girls," called Roy "Reckon you can help yourselves Milt ain't comin' in very fast with the hosses I'll rustle off to help hiot a hard day before us Yesterday wasn't nowhere to what to-day 'll be"
"But the sun's going to shine?" implored Bo
"Wal, you bet," rejoined Roy, as he strode off
Helen and Bo ate breakfast and had the camp to themselves for perhaps half an hour; then the horses ca bareback
By the ti the frost and ice, so that a dazzling, bright mist, full of rainbows, shone under the trees
Dale looked Ranger over, and tried the cinches of Bo's horse
"What's your choice--a long ride behind the packs with me--or a short cut over the hills with Roy?" he asked
"I choose the lesser of two rides," replied Helen, s
"Reckon that 'll be easier, but you'll know you've had a ride," said Dale, significantly
"What was that we had yesterday?" asked Bo, archly
"Only thirty miles, but cold an' wet To-day will be fine for ridin'"
"Milt, I'll take a blanket an' soht," said Roy "An' I reckon we'll split up here where I'll have to strike out on thet short cut"