Page:Cornelia Meigs-The Pirate of Jasper Peak.djvu/193

 John and leave Hugh behind to hold the cabin alone? Most certaintly [sic] not.

So the plan stood as Oscar first proposed it, and, on John’s continuing to improve steadily,  preparations were made for a start three days  later. The night before they were to go, Oscar went with Hugh all over his small domain, indoors and out, showing him just how this was to  be cared for and how that was to be done. They were coming up the path from Hulda’s stable,  picking their way over the rough stones in the  moonlight, the big dog following them, while  Oscar gave his final directions. The wide valley of the Promised Land lay at their feet in sharp  outline of black and white, while above them  the sky was powdered thick with stars and, across  the ravine, rose the dark heights of Jasper Peak with one gleaming light shining from its rugged  shoulder.

“And you must look out for Jake,” Oscar ended. “Every hour, every minute, you must watch for him. In three weeks the date for my proving up will have passed, the claim will