Some days later the party reached the great salt plains dreaded by all overland travellers. The sight of the vast, white prairies, utterly destitute of vegetation, with no plant or shrub visible, and no evidence that any had ever existed, was depressing enough.

“If we should get out of provisions or water here, Heaven help us!” said Tom apprehensively.

“How far will we have to go before we reach the borders of the plain?” asked Grant.

“I don’t know, but I have heard that it is very extensive.”

“How are we off for provisions?”

“That is what makes me anxious. Our supply is quite scanty.”

“And there is no chance to replenish it here?”

Tom shook his head.

106“Don’t tell mother,” he said. “It would make her worry. It will be time for her to learn it if worse comes to worst.”

On the sixth day they were startled by a sight calculated to increase their fears.

It was a stranded wagon, with three gaunt, emaciated bodies stretched near it, all of them quite dead. There were two men and a woman.

“They must have died of hunger, or thirst, or both,” whispered Tom.

“What can have happened to them?” asked Mrs. Cooper compassionately.

“Perhaps they were weak, and unable to go farther,” said Tom evasively.

“It seems terrible that they should be exposed to the elements. Suppose some wild beasts should come and mangle their bodies.”

“Wild beasts are too sensible to be found in this region,” said Tom.

“Why?” asked his mother.

“Because,” answered Tom, hesitating, “the country is so barren and unattractive.”

“You seem to think wild animals appreciate fine scenery, like human beings.”

“Well, yes, in a measure,” and Tom nodded 107significantly at Grant, as if to caution him against saying anything that would reveal to his mother his real meaning.

A Horrible Discovery.—Death from Starvation.

“Tom,” said his father, “don’t you think we had better bury these unfortunate persons?”

“Yes, father. I will help you do it.”

“And I,” added Grant.

“First, however, let us see if we can find any letters or documents disclosing their identity. We ought to let their friends know what has become of them.”

In the pocket of one of the men Tom found letters showing that it was a party from Taunton, in Massachusetts. One of the men had a silver watch, and upon another was found a small sum of money.

“I will take charge of the watch and money,” said Mr. Cooper, “and when we reach any point where it is possible, I will send them on to their friends in Taunton, for that appears to have been their home.”

“What about the wagon, father?”

“We must leave it. We have all we can do in transporting our own.”

A grave was dug, and the three bodies were 108deposited therein. Tom looked sober, for he couldn’t help asking himself, “Suppose this should be our fate!”

He quietly examined the wagon to see if he could find any provisions, but there was not a scrap, or crust to be found.

“It was as I thought,” he whispered to Grant. “The poor wretches died of starvation.”

A week later the same problem confronted them.

“Grant,” said Tom, “I have been examining our food supply, and find that we have only enough to last us two days.”

Grant looked startled.

“And then?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Unless we get a fresh supply we must die, like those poor people whom we buried a week since.”

“Shall you tell your mother?”

“I must. She is entitled to know, for she is in danger like ourselves.”

Mrs. Cooper turned pale, but seemed calm and composed when told of the state of affairs.

“We must make our provisions last as long as possible,” she said.

109“But how?”

“We must be placed on allowance.”

“Half rations?”

“Yes. That will give us some additional time. We must make our two days’ supply last over four days, and who knows what may happen in four days?”

“That is a sensible suggestion, mother, but let it only extend to Grant, father and myself. I don’t want you to be stinted.”

“What do you think of me, Tom? Do you suppose I ............