At last, though, all the sheep had passed over the river, and Bud Larkin had won!
Then came the getting over of the wagons and camp outfits, all done in the dark, and with scarcely sound enough to be heard a furlong away. 288 As some men worked, others dressed and swam the horses over, leading them in bunches.
Presently, dressed, happy, and glowing with the reaction from his icy bath, Bud Larkin appeared out of the dark beside Juliet Bissell.
“You are the one who has enabled me to do all this,” he said gently. “Now, will you go over with me or will you go down the river to your father two miles away?”
She looked up at him proudly.
“To the victor belongs the spoils,” she said, and lifted her face to him. “Are you going to make me go?”
“Darling!” he cried in the sweet, low voice she loved and drew her to him.