Carrying the two fish and her clothes, she waded back across the creek, dressed, and went to camp. She knew what to do. She'd cleaned fish before, and there was still grease in the frying pan. Forty-five minutes later she called: "Father!" "Yes?" Mr. Simpson answered. "Mr. Brent!" Cindy called. "What do you want, Cindy?" "Come on! Dinner's ready!" CHAPTER ELEVEN _Alec Comes_ In the middle of the following afternoon Alec appeared on a hillock. He was driving Pete's horses and wagon with two of his father's mules hitched on behind, and following Sim Macklin, who drove his brother's wagon. Without benefit of saddle or bridle, Cindy leaped on Sparkle. Guiding the roan pony with her knees, holding herself on by wrapping one hand in his mane, she raced to meet her brother. She waved to Sim and drew in beside Alec. "Hi!" she called happily. "Hi." Alec grinned. "Was Mother worried?" "About you?" Alec sniffed. "Huh! She was hoping you'd stay lost!" "Alec!" Cindy begged. "Please tell me!" "Well," Alec said, "she was a mite worried. But I found out the day you left that you were with Dad. Mother isn't worried any longer." [Illustration] "How is Mindy?" Cindy pursued. "Ha! You know what that crazy girl did? When you weren't there to take Mr. Brent's message, she took it. But she didn't know Thunder's an outlaw, so she rode him bareback. Can you imagine that?" Cindy asked anxiously, "Was she hurt?" "With Mindy, Thunder's gentle as a kitten," Alec assured her. He grinned again. "She wore some of my old jeans and a shirt for the ride, and now she wears them all the time." Cindy got to the next important detail. "Did you bring food?" she asked eagerly. "Yup." "What kind?" "Potatoes," Alec said. "Wonderful!" "Biscuits," said Alec. "Gorgeous!" squealed Cindy. "Beans," Alec said. "Marvelous!" "And bacon," Alec finished. "Heavenly!" Cindy smacked her lips. Alec looked at her sharply. "What's the matter with you, sis?" "Matter!" Cindy said indignantly. "Do you know what we've been living on? Fish! Any more and I'll grow fins!" "I like fish," Alec said. "You can have 'em!" Cindy sighed. "I'll trade you my share for your portion of potatoes, biscuits, bacon, and beans! Um-m! I can hardly wait to start cooking! Did Mother send any dishes?" "Think she'd expect us to cook without 'em?" Alec's eyes roved around the homestead. "Say! This looks like something!" "It is something. Dad and I picked it." "Huh," Alec sniffed. "Bet you had a lot to do with it." "Nothing could have been done without me," Cindy said smugly. "I'll switch off to Cal's place," Sim Macklin broke in, grinning. "Thank you, Mr. Macklin," Cindy said. "I'll steer my brother home, and do come see us." "I will," Sim promised.