Judge Parks himself was on the watch in the first gray of dawn, and the camp was dim enough even after there were rosy tints upon the distant mountain summits. He stood gazing at these and leaning upon his rifle, when Yellow Pine walked out to take his customary survey of matters.
"Splendid weather. Pine, just think of all this magnificent country as it will be when it's settled. Farms, towns, villages, mines, railways, factories--"
"There won't be any game, then, or any red Indians, either."
"There isn't a finer country in all the world. The new time is coming, Pine."
"Of course it is. Our mine's coming first thing. We'll get there 'fore sundown. Wish I knew what else was coming."
"Got a curious feeling in my back. Always have it when there's something up. It's as much like the rheumatiz as it is like anything."
"I dunno 'bout that. I've had all sorts of things happen when I had this 'ere feeling onto me."
"Exactly, Pine. I've had dinner happen to me a good many times just when I had a sort of feeling it was coming. Soon as I got right down hungry I knew it was a sure sign. I say, look at those boys."
"Going a-fishing. I'd call it--Well, it's a good thing for 'em to do. They can't miss bringing in a good string. Sile, see here."
"Get back with some for breakfast if you can. We'll be right here till the critters have done feeding. Catch a heap."
"All right," shouted Sile. "He says the water's full of 'em."
"Sile," said his father, "don't throw away your time on fly-fishing. Use bait, and pull 'em right in. They'll bite."
"I'm going to spoon for 'em. Can't find any bait."
"Never mind, jedge," said Pine. "I've seen trout in some of these mountain streams jump for a bare hook quick as it tetched the water. There's too many on 'em, and they get the hungriest kind."
"They won't mind much what they jump at, that's sure. I must say I'd like some for breakfast, though."
Yellow Pine and the judge had other matters on hand, and the latter had a short nap to take, after his "watch." The animals had to be cared for, moreover, before any mere human being had a right to be fed.
The first noise that was made in camp brought Na-tee-kah and Ha-ha-pah-no out of their tent, comb and brush in hand. They both made sure of their ribbons and that all was in order before they had a word to say to anybody. It could not be denied that they were a very bright looking and highly ornamented pair, Ha-ha-pah-no being perhaps a little ahead.