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Show page 80 the s p i r i t of the hungering, eager-eyed boy. F r i t z ' s heart gave audience and h i s action xvas of the wisdom of the xvide spaces. "Al, you've done your work w e l l , " he said. With a twinkle in his eyes, a warmth in his heart, he placed his hand upon the boy's shoulder. "Would you like to take the run with Jim?" The youth heard. He heard, so c l e a r l y , Fr i t z c a l l him by name. He heard and he knew that it was his admission into the world of men, into the xvorld of heroes, into the world of knowledge, into the world of strong smells and the world of the x-zhistling x<?ind. Jim of the red beard climbed atop the loaded sled, extended his hand to the youth. And Jim, with the knowledge of forty winters in his heart and the laughter of the rippling streams In h i s eyes, looked off into the hazy distance to the majestic mounta ins• He handed Al the r e i n s , and Al heard him say, "Take 'em away, pardner." And days passed. Slush and dampness left the land. The valley returned to i t s greenness and only the towering peaks retained t h e i r jewels of winter. Came t h e day when water ran smooth again in the river and horses stamped again In the c o r r a l . All living things were on the move. All things were f i l l e d with the eagerness of l i f e. F r i t z said, "We r i d e again tomorrow, take the stock c a t t le to the h i l l s . " Fritz looked to Jim and Jim looked to the youth. |
