"Look at that!"
A half dozen steers, surging against the fence, put their combined weight on a panel and the post gave with a snap.
Bobby ran forward, brandishing a club, and drove them back as they floundered in the sagging wire, heedless of barbs, eyes protruding with want of the drink that dilated nostrils told them was near.
After he had propped the post up again the nester shook his fist at Curtis and shouted:
"I'll protect my property! You can protect yourn if you will. Th' next critter that breaks my fence gits lead in his carcass!"
He slouched back to the cabin and came out a moment later with a rifle. Seating himself on a stump he crossed his knees and with the weapon across his lap sat waiting.
"We'll bunch 'em so we can make a show at holdin' 'em tonight," Curtis said. "That'll save time in th' mornin' ... an' we'll need all our time."
Forthwith he and the others began gathering the suffering stragglers in a loose bunch.
The Reverend came riding across the flat before this was completed. His face was serious and as he came close to the herd and saw the condition of the cattle he shook his head apprehensively.
"I fear, brother, that by another day there'll be little strength in those bodies to get 'em up to open water," he said to Curtis.