as it was good to see adobes once more, with
windows and doors, and smoke curling up out of
chimneys. He felt a deep sense of security, of
coziness, which he had been fast losing on the broad
reaches, together with his sight for short distances.
For his eyes had become affected since leaving
the white corral beside the river, although with
this he was aware of a peculiar gain. His sense
of hearing now was most acute, and he could
hear the least faint sounds -- sounds which, before
his taking to the open, he could not have heard.
So he was enjoying it all, feeling real comfort,
a kind of fitness, as if he belonged here and
would better remain here for ever. Then, with a
generous supply of alfalfa tossed to him, as to
the other horses, he became convinced that he
should remain in this little settlement for all
time.

Along in the afternoon the storekeeper, accompanied
by a native woman, who was tear-stained
and weeping, crossed the settlement. At the moment
the men, lounging about on blankets, were
discussing ways and means for Stephen. He need
not continue with them now, they informed him,
unless he wanted to. Arrangements could be
made here to get him to a railroad in some kind
of vehicle, leading Pat behind. But it was up to
him. They weren't hurrying him away, by any
means, yet it sure was up to him to get proper
treatment for his arm, which showed slow signs
of recovery.

Stephen was considering this when the two

[[231]]

p230 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p231w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p232

v?