Page:Letters from an Oregon Ranch.djvu/49

 task for women accustomed to the ordering of daily supplies, with the telephone at hand to rectify errors or omissions. Our entire evening was devoted to this work, and I am proud to say that only one item was forgotten, but that the important one of eggs,—an omission which was rued in sackcloth and ashes for weeks to come. When the four long lists were finished and folded, the “alarm” was wound and set at four o’clock, whereupon a universal groan was heard. Instantly our spirits fell to zero, and there remained.

Promptly at the time appointed, that clock opened up for business. I think it must have awakened every sleeper between the two oceans. We had never known it to work so vigorously. Whether Tom had, in winding it, given an extra turn or two, or something vital had given way inside, will probably never be known. While the horses were being fed and harnessed by the fitful light of a lantern, our third breadless meal was prepared. We had crackers, fortunately, and “before-daylight; appetites are easily satisfied.

Our wretched pilgrims had been long on their way ere the dawn climbed over our green hills. The day was very dark and cloudy. Early in the afternoon rain began falling. By six o’clock darkness fell like a pall upon us,—no moon, no stars, no ray of light. Even then we began listening for the sound of wheels, though we had been told not to expect the wanderers before eight o’clock. We put lamps in the windows, drew up