At all events, before they had been many hours in harness, they were drawing the wagon through a pretty little valley covered with green, meadow-looking sward; and in five minutes more were standing halted near a cool crystal spring.
In a short time all had drunk heartily, and were refreshed.

The horses were turned out upon the grass, and the other animals browsed over the meadow.

A good fire was made near the spring, and a quarter of mutton cooked--upon which the travellers dined--and then all sat waiting for the horses to fill themselves.
The field-cornet, seated upon one of the wagon-chests, smoked his great pipe.

He could have been contented, but for one thing--the absence of his cattle.
He had arrived at a beautiful pasture-ground--a sort of oasis in the wild plains, where there were wood, water, and grass,--everything that the heart of a "vee-boor" could desire.

It did not appear to be a large tract, but enough to have sustained many hundred head of cattle--enough for a very fine "stock farm." It would have answered his purpose admirably; and had he succeeded in bringing on his oxen and cattle, he would at that moment have felt happy enough.