"Will you please tell me where I am?" She asked.
"Yu are fifteen miles southeast of Muddy Wells," he replied.
"But which is southeast?"
"Right behind yu," he answered. "Th' town lies right ahead."
"Are you going there?" She asked.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then you will not care if I ride with you?" She asked. "I am a
trifle frightened."
"Why, I'd be some pleased if yu do, `though there ain't nothing out
here to be afraid of now."
"I had no intention of getting lost," she assured him, "but I
dismounted to pick flowers and cactus leaves and after a while I had
no conception of where I was."
"How is it yu are out here?" He asked. "Yu shouldn't get so far from
town."
"Why, papa is an invalid and doesn't like to leave his room, and the
town is so dull, although the carnival is waking it up somewhat.
Having nothing to do I procured a horse and determined to explore the
country. Why, this is like Stanley and Livingstone, isn't it? You
rescued the explorer!" And she laughed heartily. He wondered who in
thunder Stanley and Livingstone were, but said nothing.
"I like the West, it is so big and free," she continued. "But it is
very monotonous at times, especially when compared with New York. Papa
swears dreadfully at the hotel and declares that the food will drive
him insane, but I notice that he eats much more heartily than he did
when in the city.
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