Have you seen a prairie schooner--
Old style freighter--pass this way?
Both wheel hosses white-nosed sorrels,
Lead team of a dun and gray?"

[Illustration: "Loaded up their prairie schooner,
And vamoosed the ranch 'fore light."]

[Illustration: "He was startled by a stranger's
Sudden presence and 'Hello!'"]


10

"I remember some such outfit,
If I've got your idee right.
Think they camped a mile below here
Week ago last Thursday night.
Pulled in sometime 'long 'bout sundown,
Turned their stock in yonder draw,
But an oldish sort of fellow
Was the only one I saw;
Rode a speckled chestnut pony
With a white star in his face;
Asked some questions 'bout the country,
'Bout the proper crossing-place.
Pulled out sometime long 'fore daylight.
Didn't see them when they passed,
But from all the indications
They was trav'ling pretty fast.