THE FIGHTING SHEPHERDESS
Soon they would sink down singly and in pairs, by the dozen and half dozen, with a crackling of joints, their jaws waggling, sniffing, coughing, grunting from overladen stomachs, raising in their restless stirrings a little cloud of dust above the bed-ground.
As he stood to go, Disston pictured her night after night waiting in patient silence for the sheep to grow quiet and then creeping between her blankets to sleep among them.
He left her reluctantly at length, for he had a feeling that, since his time with her was short, each minute that he was away from her was wasted ; but as it was her wish, he could do nothing less than comply and, obviously, she did not share his regret So he followed her directions and was soon at the summer camp, established near a spring one lower ridge over.
A half hour passed — three-quarters. He smoked and looked at his watch frequently. The stars came out and the moon rose full. The fire burned down and the water cooled in the kettle. Whatever was detaining her? Impatient at first, Disston finally grew worried. He ate a little cold food that he found, and started to walk back to her.
He was well up the first ridge when a sharp report broke the night-stillness and brought him to an abrupt standstill. It was followed by another, then three, four — a number of shots in succession. It was not loud enough for a 30-30. It was the six-shooter I "For dose work! "she had told him tersely.
If he had been in doubt before as to the exact word to apply to his feelings for Kate, there was no need to hesitate longer. What did it matter that she did not know how to pour tea gracefully and preside at a dinner
242
