CHAPTER XXII 

HAIL 

A thin crescent moon hung low in the western sky. The prairie was wrapped in silent shadows. Leland stood outside the homestead, with the bridle of an impatient horse in his hand, and talked with his wife. There was only one light in the house behind them, and everything was very still, but Leland knew that two men who could be trusted to keep good watch were wide awake that night. The barrel of a Marlin rifle hung behind his shoulders, glinting fitfully when it caught the light as he moved. Without thinking of what he was doing, he fingered the clip of the sling. 

"The moon will be down in half an hour, and it will be quite dark before I cross the ravine near Thorwald's place," he said. "Jim Thorwald is straight, and standing by the law, but none of us are quite sure of all of his boys. Anyway, we don't want anybody to know who's riding to the outpost." 

Carrie laid her hand upon his arm. "I suppose you must go, this once at least." 

"Of course!" said Leland with a smile. "If I'm wanted, I must go again. The trouble's spreading." 

"Then," said Carrie, "why can't they bring more troopers in? Why did you ever have anything to do with it, Charley?" 

"It seemed necessary. A man has to hold on to what is his." 

Carrie's fingers tightened on his arm. "Perhaps it is so; I suppose it must be; but, after all, I don't think that was your only reason. I mean, when you started the quarrel. No, you needn't turn away. I want you to look at me."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What was the name of the person that was standing outside?
2. What was the person that was standing outside called?
3. 
Q2:
1. What was the name of Leland's wife?
2. What was Leland's wife called?
3. 
Q3:
1. Were there loud sounds in the prairie?
2. Was there a lot of noise in the prairie?
3. 
Q4:
1. What word is used to describe the sound in the prairie?
2. The sound in the prairie is described by what word?
3. 
Q5:
1. Were some of the men trusted by Leland to keep a watch?
2. Did Leland trust some of the men to keep a watch?
3. 
Q6:
1. How many men did Leland trust to keep a watch?
2. How many men were trusted by Leland to keep a watch?
3. 
Q7:
1. Was a thin moon crescent present in the story?
2. Did the story have a thin crescent moon?
3. 
Q8:
1. Where was the thin crescent moon located?
2. What was the location of the thin crescent moon?
3. 
Q9:
1. Did the house behind Leland and Carrie only have one light?
2. Was there only a single light in the house located behind Carrie and Leland?
3. 
Q10:
1. Was Leland a trooper?
2. WAS Lelan considered to be a trooper?
3. 
