sibility. The horse had been delivered. Miguel
had safely delivered him. It was all up to him
then, Stephen, and to nobody else. He alone was
responsible, and it was his duty to get Pat back.
Out of his self-doubting this realization came
with a sense of comfort. His course now lay clearly
before him. He would get the horse back! He
must get him back! There was nothing else
left for him. For if he ever expected to return
to Helen, and this was his life's hope, he must
return to her with the horse. He could return to
her in no other way.

He saw the difficulties. This was a large country,
and he knew but very little of its activities.
He recalled what the Judge had intimated -- that
the character of the thieves was such as to offer
no encouragement of successful pursuit to any
but men schooled to the country and the habits
of the thieves. Yet against this and in his favor
was the wide-spread reputation of Pat, and that
certainly ought to be of some help in his pursuit.
But, difficult or easy -- take a month or a year -- take
five years -- he would get Pat and return him
to his mistress! The Judge had spoken of range
police. Why couldn't he enlist with these men,
enlist in any capacity, and accompany them till
such time as he should learn the country well
enough to venture out alone if necessary in his
quest? At any rate, he would have a talk with
the Judge -- would see him early in the morning.
He arose to his feet. The thing was settled in his
mind. Also for the first time in his life his view

[[154]]

p153 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p154w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p155

v?