This was the beginning of the end. Thereafter
two and three times a day the young man came
to him, sometimes in the corral, sometimes in
the stable, but always with each successive visit,
it seemed to Pat, revealing increasing buoyancy
and strength. And finally there came a day,
bright and warm, when his master came to him,
as it proved, to remain with him. The young
man was dressed for riding, and he was surrounded
by all the men Pat had ever seen about the place,
and not a few whose faces were new to him. They
led him out of the stable into the open, a dozen
hands bridled and saddled him, then all crowded
close in joyful conversation.

"Well, sir," began the round-faced young man,
slapping Pat resoundingly upon the rump, "you're
off again! And believe me I'm one that's right
sorry to see you go. I don't care nothin' about
this pardner o' yours -- he don't count nohow,
anyway. He's been sick 'most to death, shore,
but he's all right now as far as _that_ goes. His
arm is all healed up, and he's fit in every other
way -- _some_ ways -- yet he's takin' himself off from
as nice people as ever dragged saddles through a
bunk-house at midnight. But that ain't it. He's
takin' old black boss?? away with him, and it don't
jest set. I shore do hate to see you go."

Which seemed to express the opinions of the
others. And somehow, even when his master was
in the saddle and everything pointing to a final
departure, Pat found himself hating to go. But
duty was duty, and after his master had gathered

[[283]]

p282 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p283w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p284

v?