Blue Bonnet's Ranch Party

by Lillian Elizabeth Roy

  CHAPTER X

  ENTER CARITA

  TWO days later Knight appeared at the table minus his sling, andannounced that this must be his last day at the ranch. There wereexpressions of regret from everybody, and from Blue Bonnet vigorousobjections. The boy quite glowed under the tribute.

  "I simply must go," he protested firmly. "Though it's a big temptationto stay, I tell you. But it isn't fair to Uncle Bayard for me to beaway any longer. Those twelve boys keep things moving for him. I hopeyou will be able to come up for one of our Sundays," he said to Mrs.Clyde.

  "Grandmother has missed her church more than anything else," BlueBonnet remarked. "It's been pretty warm to drive to Jonah, and none ofthe Padres has visited the ranch since we came."

  "We have an outdoor service in a beautiful grove of trees," Knightexplained, "and that setting and the boys' voices in the open air andall--well, it has spoiled me for stuffy meeting-houses. Can't you allcome up and stay over next Sunday?" His glance and the eyes of all theWe are Sevens were fastened anxiously on Mrs. Clyde's face.

  She thought for a moment. "It seems a stupendous undertaking,--for somany of us," she said at length. Camping out in Texas was full ofunknown and rather dreadful possibilities, she secretly opined.

  "We'll take all the responsibility, Grandmother," Blue Bonnet assuredher gravely.

  Mrs. Clyde did not meet her granddaughter's eye; that young lady'smethod of taking responsibility was not such as to inspire one withunlimited confidence.

  "I can send Miguel ahead with one of the cook-wagons," Uncle Cliffsuggested. "You can have Pancho, too, if you like,--he cooked on theround-up this spring and didn't kill anybody. Lisa's too fat andGertrudis too old for that ride."

  "And we want Lupe for wrangler," said Blue Bonnet. "A wrangler looksafter the horses, Sarah _mia_," she explained, anticipating thequestion.

  "If we go," said Senora, "let us go as simply as possible. Surely wedon't need such an army of men."

  "But, Grandmother," Blue Bonnet protested, "there has to be a cook,and somebody to pitch tents, and one to look after the horses and--"

  "I don't see the necessity. You miss half the pleasure of camping outif you have everything done for you. When I was a girl we used to campout in the Maine woods, and we girls took turns cooking and washingdishes, while the boys gathered wood for the fires, caught fish andlooked after the horses. To take a crowd of servants along would robthe life of all its simplicity."

  Blue Bonnet looked rather blank. Cooking and washing dishes did notseem altogether simple to her.

  "I can make caramel cake," announced Kitty.

  "That's lovely--especially for breakfast," said Blue Bonnet.

  "I don't like sweet things for breakfast," said Sarah.

  "Beans and bacon are as good camp fare as one needs," said Knight. "Itis pretty cool in the mornings and evenings, and one gets hungryenough to eat the dishes."

  "We'll agree to anything if Grandmother will only go," said BlueBonnet eagerly.

  Grandmother, however, withheld her decision until she had held aserious conversation alone with Uncle Cliff.

  "Don't you think you are encouraging Blue Bonnet in habits ofextravagance?" she asked, smiling inwardly at the likeness of herquestion to some of Lucinda's.

  Uncle Cliff pondered for a moment. "That depends on what you call'extravagance.' According to my definition it means spending more thanyou can afford."

  "Blue Bonnet is certainly spending a great deal this summer. It mustcost something to keep up a big place like this, so many servantsbesides all the guests."

  "Mexicans don't draw down princely salaries, you know," he argued."And we're not used to counting noses at table. Besides, Blue Bonnethas enough to do just about as she likes with. Miss Clyde and I hadsome talk about it last winter--when she put the poor child on anallowance. Three dollars!" Mr. Ashe made a comical grimace. "Why, Mrs.Clyde, I've been putting by Blue Bonnet's profits every year fornearly sixteen years, and they've been pretty tidy sums, too. Besides,she's going to have every penny of mine, some day. And now she's oldenough to enjoy spending, I don't quite see the use of making herskimp." He looked very much in earnest and ready to "have it out" thenand there.

  "But the possessors of wealth should be taught the value of money,just the same, don't you think so?" Mrs. Clyde urged.

  "Surely!" he agreed. "And Blue Bonnet has a very fair idea of itsvalue, I think. She gives more people a good time on it than any one Iknow. You never knew her to stay awake nights worrying over somethingfor herself, now did you?"

  "Blue Bonnet is not given to worrying over anything. Not that I wishher to. She is dear and warm-hearted and generous like her mother,but a little heedless,--Lucinda thinks. She needs to be taught thatwealth entails responsibility."

  "Lucinda!" was Mr. Ashe's mental ejaculation. He might have known thesource of Mrs. Clyde's arguments. Miss Clyde had undoubtedly soundideas on the up-bringing of the young, and any amount of New Englandthrift. He had unlimited respect for her strength of character; butalso his opinion as to why she was still _Miss_ Clyde. "Maybe I've aqueer mental twist," he went on audibly, "but that's just what I don'tsee the need of. Poor folk have to worry about making ends meet; butif money is of any use at all it's to save one that kind of fretting.When one feels the 'responsibility of wealth,' then it's a burden. I'dhate to think Blue Bonnet would ever get to that pass."

  Mrs. Clyde wished for Lucinda just at this moment; Miss Clyde couldhave met this argument with a worthy rejoinder, she was confident."Don't you fear that thoughtless spending now may grow into futureextravagance?" she asked rather helplessly.

  "When the little girl begins to worry about bird-of-paradise aigrettesand pearl pendants for herself, I'll believe she's extravagant. Aslong as she spends only what she can afford and bestows it all uponothers, I'll not begin to fret," he said decidedly.

  "Then you don't think this camping-trip an extravagance? She is doingso much for the girls already that it seems rather unnecessary to me."

  "It will be a wonderful experience for the girls--and they're just theright age to enjoy it most. A few years later they'll fuss about dirtand want springs on their beds."

  Grandmother Clyde smothered a sigh; she had reached the latter stage,but perhaps it was not her place to "reason why." The conversationended for the present, and during her stay on the ranch was notresumed.

  As Uncle Cliff left the veranda after the conference, he was set uponby Blue Bonnet and Kitty and enticed to the lair of the We are Sevens,which chanced this time to be the summer-house in the Senorita'slittle garden. This rather shaky bower, overgrown by jack-beans whichheld together the would-be rustic structure, had once been the prideof Blue Bonnet's heart, but now, neglected--as was the garden sincethe advent of the ranch party--had become the residence of a large andgrowing family of insects. It served, however, as a very excellentspot for secret sessions such as the present one. A circular bench,very wobbly as to legs, had the advantage of bringing all the membersface to face in solemn conclave. It was here their captive was haled.

  "What says the noble Senora?" demanded Blue Bonnet, and then before hecould answer she exclaimed--"Uncle Cliff, you must help us out. Lifewithout that camping trip will be stale, flat and unprofitable."

  "Oh, Blue Bonnet," said Sarah reproachfully, "how can you say thatwhen we are having the most wonderful time that ever was?"

  "Sarah, don't weaken our case," Blue Bonnet admonished her. "It's yourplace to look positively _pining_!"

  "If you'll allow me to speak," remarked Uncle Cliff, "I'll put an endto your suspense. The Queen Mother says she will sacrifice herself forthe weal of her subjects."

  "Hooray!" cried Blue Bonnet, and the cry was echoed even by Sarah.

  Alec and Knight, hearing the uproar on their way to the house, stoppedand begged permission to enter.

  "Come right in and sit down on the floor," said Blue Bonnet cordially."Alec, Grandmother says she'll go!"

  "So that's what all the row's about?"
asked Knight. "Say, but I'mglad!"

  Alec's eyes shone. "Don't you think I'd better go ahead with Knight? Icould pick out a camping place and have everything ready for you." Hehad been awaiting a favorable moment to bring forth his quietly laidscheme, and the present seemed auspicious.

  "I think that would be splendid," cried Blue Bonnet enthusiastically,reading Alec like a book. "But you'll wait and go with us, won't you,Uncle?"

  "Can't go this trip. Pete has gone up with some of the boys to cut outa bunch of beef-cattle. I'll have to see to shipping them."

  "Oh, Uncle,--we need you," remonstrated Blue Bonnet.

  "And it's almost as good to be needed as it is to be wanted. Thankyou."

  "We want you even more than we need you," she insisted.

  "You'll have plenty of men creatures to tyrannize over in camp. Howmany boys did you say there were, Knight?"

  "There are twelve--and they know how to work, too."

  "They'll be worked all right," said Uncle Cliff with a wicked twinkle.

  "We must all work," said Sarah conscientiously. "I think we had betterbegin to plan things and get ready right away."

  "The first thing to do," said Blue Bonnet, "is to make a huge lot ofpinoche."

  Sarah regarded her in astonishment. "Do you propose to live onpinoche?"

  "No, goose, but with twelve boys in camp--not counting Alec andKnight, a pound won't go very far. And we must send to Jonah formarshmallows."

  "Hadn't you better include several tons of angel-cake and fiftygallons or so of ice-cream?" asked Kitty.

  "Just you wait, Kitty-Kat. When you see the use to which I put thosemarshmallows, you'll see that I'm the most practical member of theClub," Blue Bonnet prophesied solemnly.

  "Grandmother, you're such a success," she said later, as they two satdiscussing ways and means for the camping-trip.

  "A success?" Mrs. Clyde questioned.

  "As a grandmother, you know. If I'd had you made to order I wouldn'thave had you a mite different! I hope our trip isn't going to be toohard for you. I promised Aunt Lucinda to take care of you, and Isuspect sometimes that I'm not quite living up to the contract."

  "We elderly people must guard against getting 'set in our ways.'Camp-life is certainly a good corrective for that." Mrs. Clyde smiledrather ruefully.

  "It surely is," Blue Bonnet laughed. "It would never suit AuntLucinda. But she isn't sixty-five years young!"

  "Nor fifteen years old."

  "Was she ever? Somehow I can't imagine her different. It must give onea very--solid feeling, to be as sure about everything as Aunt Lucindais. But she misses a lot of fun!"

  Early the next morning Alec and Knight rode away; Knight looking verysoldierly and capable now that his arm no longer reposed in itsscarlet sling; Alec with his blankets in a business-like roll behindhis saddle, and both boys provided with a "snack of lunch" to eat onthe way. Alec's eyes were shining with anticipation; even Strawberrypranced more joyously than usual as though she knew a good time was instore.

  The We are Sevens accompanied the travellers as far as Kooch's, andsent them off from that point weighted with injunctions and messagesinnumerable. That ride, even Sarah admitted, was a "grand andglorious" success; the air was fresh and sweet, Comanche verytractable, and everybody in the best of humors. The girls returned tothe ranch full of plans for the camping trip, and for the rest of theday, and for several days following, made out exhaustive lists ofeatables, bedding and utensils such as would have provided amply for aregiment of soldiers. In the midst of the preparations Sarah wascaught red-handed packing her drawn-work among her effects.

  "She'll have to be watched, girls," said Kitty. "White linendrawn-work on a camping-trip! Next she'll be slipping in white piqueskirts and dancing slippers."

  "I suppose you'll object to my taking handkerchiefs, too?" Sarah'slook was a mixture of irony and indignation.

  "We ought really to bar all hankies except bandanas," said BlueBonnet, "but we'll stretch a point for Sarah's sake. She can't helphaving aristocratic tastes, you know."

  Sarah was secretly of the opinion that drawn-work was no more out ofplace than the many boxes of pinoche and marshmallows that Blue Bonnetpacked away in the huge "grub-boxes," but she yielded with her usualgood grace.

  By Wednesday all was pronounced in readiness for the start. Miguel wassent ahead with tents and supplies in one of the big cook-wagons usedon the round-ups; with help from Alec and Knight he was to have a campready for the rest of the party when they should arrive on thefollowing day.

  "I wish Grandmother were not so set on the 'simple life,'" remarkedBlue Bonnet, "for I should like to take Juanita along. It's a pity toseparate her and Miguel just now, when things are progressing sonicely."

  "How do you know?" Kitty looked up quickly.

  Blue Bonnet bit her lip. She and Alec had agreed not to tell of theincident of the lasso, and she had kept the secret, though she burnedto tell the romance-loving We are Sevens. "Just by signs," sheanswered evasively.

  But Kitty could read signs, too, and privately longed to shake themystery out of her hostess. Suspecting the trend of little Miss Why'sthoughts, Blue Bonnet went on hurriedly: "How shall we go--in thebuckboard or on horse-back?"

  "Horse-back!" exclaimed all four of the others.

  "Did I hear you speak, Sarah?" Kitty inquired.

  "You did if you were listening," replied Sarah calmly.

  "I believe Sarah and Comanche have formed a real attachment for eachother," said Blue Bonnet who secretly exulted in Sarah's growingspirit.

  "It must be a patent attachment then," laughed Kitty, "--somethingthat keeps Sarah on!"

  "Grandmother will have to go in the buckboard--Uncle Joe's going todrive and--" Blue Bonnet did some hasty calculating, "I had betterstay with Grandmother--it's smoother riding with two in a seat.Firefly will hate being led, but I reckon some disciplining won't hurthim."

  They were up before dawn in order to complete the first stage of thejourney before noon. As they gathered about the lamp-lighted table forbreakfast, yawning and rubbing their eyes, Blue Bonnet gave an amusedlaugh.

  "'In _summer_ I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light.'"

  she quoted.

  "I think it would have been a good plan to have had breakfast beforewe went to bed," said Sarah. "Thank you, Mrs. Clyde, I will takecoffee, I think it will wake me up."

  "Never mind," said Blue Bonnet. "You can just alter the lines a bit--

  "'In camp it's quite the other way, We'll all go straight to bed by day'--

  and make up for the loss of our beauty sleep. And you'll see somethingworth getting up for later. Sunrise on the prairie, Kitty, makes theMassachusetts article look like your pink lawn when it came back fromthe wash."

  They were several miles from the ranch when Uncle Joe raised his quirtand pointed to the east. "There she comes!" he warned.

  The whole crowd came to a standstill in the middle of the road in ahush that was almost reverent. Blue Bonnet drew a deep breath. Therolling prairie with the long grass stirred by the breeze; thepeaceful herds just waking into life; the fleecy clouds glowing frombuff to rosy pink--she loved it all.

  At eleven every one was ravenous and a halt was made for lunch. Fromthat point the journey was hardly so pleasant; the road began toascend sharply into the sturdy little range of hills that Texansproudly call mountains, and being less frequented than the countyroad, was rough and full of surprises in the way of snakes andinsects. Sarah was just beginning to wonder if she could surviveComanche's next fright, when a loud "Whoa-o-o-pe!" sounded fromsomewhere above and ahead of them. Blue Bonnet answered immediatelywith the ranch-call which she and some of the cowboys had adaptedyears ago from one of Uncle Joe's old-time songs:

  O Ho ye ho ho!]

  She had a strong, carrying voice, and the cheery summons of theTwickenham ferryman rang clearly on the air.

  The next minute three riders emerged from the trees in whose shadethey had
been waiting, and galloped to meet the campers.

  "It's Alec and Knight," Kitty called from the front. "And there's agirl with them!"

  Blue Bonnet shot a quick glance at the approaching trio, and then gavea bounce of delight. That erect little figure, just about her ownsize, with the two pig-tails flying out behind her as she rode, couldbe no other than--Carita Judson.

  Carita was not so quick at discovering her unknown friend; she gave abashful, inquiring look at each one of the girls in turn. But as soonas she met Blue Bonnet's eye, full of an eager welcome, she rodestraight to the side of the buckboard and held out a slim, brown hand."You are--you must be--a Texas Blue Bonnet!"

  "And you're Carita,--I'm so glad!" Blue Bonnet took the outstretchedhand in both her own and gazed with frank pleasure into the girl'ssmiling face.

  Knight came up beside them and presented his cousin to Mrs. Clyde andthe other girls, and after a short but merry halt they prepared tomove on. Camp was still at some distance and they must get settledbefore nightfall.

  Sarah came up to the buckboard just as the others were starting. "Doyou mind changing places with me, Blue Bonnet?" she asked. "I'm tiredof riding."

  The look Blue Bonnet gave her was ample reward for what Sarah fearedwas almost an untruth on her part. She scrambled out of the saddle ina manner that Blue Bonnet would have smiled at ordinarily, but nowregarded with sober eyes. The other girls, without giving a thought toher natural wish for a few words with Carita had ridden on in a gaywhirl of conversation; Sarah with a thoughtfulness that Blue Bonnetwas beginning to believe unfailing, had been the only one to read herunspoken wish.

  "Isn't Sarah the dearest?" she whispered to her grandmother.

  And Mrs. Clyde, mindful of a former comment of Blue Bonnet's, smiledwith amusement as she replied--"Not half bad--considering herbringing-up!"

  Carita had lingered behind the others and now as she saw Blue Bonnetmount Comanche, she rode back and joined her. They were the last ofthe procession and practically alone.

  "It's so wonderful," Carita's small dark face was alight withpleasure, "--to think of seeing you after--everything!"

  They smiled into each other's eyes. Carita did not in the leastresemble the Woodford girls. She wore a queer one-piece garment ofblue denim, not designed for riding, which pulled up in a bunch oneither side of the saddle, showing her feet in thick boyish boots, andan inch or two of much-darned stocking. On her head was an old feltsombrero, sadly drooping as to brim and dented as to crown, securedunder her chin by a piece of black elastic. Below it her small face,brown and freckled as it was, was not without a singular attraction.Her eyes were big and soft, her lips scarlet as holly-berries; and thelong braids were very heavy and of a glossy chestnut. In spite of herclumsy costume she rode her wiry little pinto as Western girlsride--thistle-down in the saddle. She was a bit of the prairieherself, and Blue Bonnet saw it and loved her.

  "When did you come?" Blue Bonnet asked her.

  "Yesterday. And we're to stay over Sunday. Won't we just have to cramthe days full?" Carita's eyes were wistful. "For fear we sha'n't havemuch time alone, I want to tell you how much it has meant to me--yourletters, and the dress and the Christmas box and everything. I can'tbegin to tell you the--difference they have made. We've always hadboxes you know--father has no regular salary. But nothing ever camethat was half so wonderful. Last winter wasn't a bit like others--itwas full of excitement!"

  Blue Bonnet smiled, but she felt nearer tears than laughter. Such alittle thing to mean so much! For the second time she had a feeling ofthankfulness that she was--not poor. Money was certainly worth whilewhen it could give such pleasure. If Miss Lucinda could have read thegirl's mind at this moment, she might have felt some doubts as to herniece's ability to profit by the last winter's lesson in New Englandthrift. Blue Bonnet's only regret was that her purse which had beenslipped into the missionary box, had not contained several times asmuch!

  "I was sure we'd know each other, some day--I felt it!" Carita wenton in her eager way. "And I believe Knight's meeting you that day wasprovidential!"

  "It was certainly providential for Sarah and me," Blue Bonnet laughed."We'd have had a pretty spill if it hadn't been for him. But as 'all'swell that ends well,' we can consider that everything has been for thebest."

  "That sounds like father." It seemed to Blue Bonnet that Caritasmothered a sigh. "Mother and I aren't always sure that _everything_is for the best. But father never has the least bit of doubt." Thenwith a quick return of animation--"I know you'll love the camp. Knighthas picked out the loveliest spot for your tents. There--look! You cansee the Spring, and that gleam of white through the trees--that's CampJudson!"