“I wonder if I was ever so hungry before,” said Lissa. “These peaches are delicious, and surely melons were never so sweet and appetizing. The biscuits are ambrosia and this lemonade is nectar. It was a good idea to bring this ice, for the river water must be very warm to drink.” The lunch ended, Lissa went down to the water and bathed her face and hands in its limpid depths. Suddenly she found the skirt of her gown covered with persistent burrs, which stuck to her fingers as she tried to remove them, and pricked and irritated her hands intolerably. Nathan laughed heartily at her discomfiture. “Why, those are only sand-burrs, dear. I wonder if you have never before made their acquaintance? We have no patent upon them, and you may find them in many parts of the country, East and West. We don’t lay entire claim to them here.” “I should hope not,” said Lissa ruefully; “at least, we might dispense with them, if they would permit us to, which is doubtful.” Lissa tried again to free herself from the noxious weed. With Nathan’s help she at last succeeded, and they resumed their journey. The sun was painting the western horizon a glorious crimson when they entered the last town on their route. “Now, Lissa, we have twenty miles farther to travel before reaching home. We have already come over forty miles to-day. Shall we stop in this town and wait until morning?” “O, no, no, no, not for anything. Alice will be looking for us and I am so anxious to see her and our home. Do let us go on, or will it be too great a drive for our horses?” “They can endure it better than you, but I don’t think Alice will expect you before to-morrow night. People usually take four days to drive through. However, if you wish we will not stop.” It was pleasant driving in the cool of the evening and the ponies sped along rapidly, apparently little wearied by the many miles behind. They had gone but a part of the distance, however, when the sound of a galloping horse over the soft turfed ground struck upon the ear. Soon it was beside them and a cheery voice saluted them. “Hello, Nathan, is that you?” “Why, Mark, how d’you do?” Nathan grasped the hand of the handsome, yellow-haired fellow who came along beside the wagon. “This is our brother, Mark Cramer, Lissa.” “And this is the little sister I have known so well, but never seen,” said Mark. “You are very welcome to this western borderland, I assure you. Alice is wild with happy anticipation of your coming.” Lissa’s sister had come West and married the year before, and this was Lissa’s first meeting with her brother-in-law. “I heard in C—— that you were seen to drive through, so I hurried on to catch you. My horse is fleet, but I have run him all the way. You drive fast.” “I think our desire to reach home has been communicated to the horses. They have needed no urging,” Nathan replied. “I wish you would change places with me,” Lissa said. “I am tired of riding in a wagon, and a horseback ride would rest me.”