“Poor old dad! And on top of that came the snow.”
“Yes, and a whole hatful. I couldn’t get back over the high pass. Had to go round by Lost Lake, and to cap all, Old Baldy took a notion not to lead. Oh, I’ve had a peach of a time; but here I am. Have you seen Moore and his party?”
“Yes, they’re in camp up the trail. He and Alec Belden and two women. Are you hungry?”
He turned a comical glance upon her. “Am I hungry? Sister, I am a wolf. Norcross, take my horses down to the pasture.”
She hastened to interpose. “Let me do that, daddy, Mr. Norcross is badly used up. You see, we started down here late yesterday afternoon. It was raining and horribly muddy, and I took the wrong trail. The darkness caught us and we didn’t reach the station till nearly midnight.”
Wayland acknowledged his weakness. “I guess I made a mistake, Supervisor; I’m not fitted for this strenuous life.”
McFarlane was quick to understand. “I didn’t intend to pitchfork you into the forest life quite so suddenly,” he said. “Don’t give up yet awhile. You’ll harden to it.”
“Here comes Tony,” said Berrie. “He’ll look after the ponies.”
Nevertheless Wayland went out, believing that Berrie wished to be alone with her father for a short time.
As he took his seat McFarlane said: “You stayed in camp till yesterday afternoon, did you?”