“Yer ears must be pretty sharp for yer age, Peter. We can't hear him,” remarked Jimmy Nowlett.
“His dog ken,” said Peter.
The pipe was again removed and its abbreviated stem pointed in the direction of Dave's cattle dog, who had risen beside his kennel with pointed ears, and was looking eagerly in the direction from which his master was expected to come.
Presently the sound of horse's hoofs was distinctly heard.
“I can hear two horses,” cried Jimmy Nowlett excitedly.
“There's only one,” said old Peter quietly.
A few moments passed, and a single horseman appeared on the far side of the flat.
“It's Doc. Wild on Dave's horse,” cried Jimmy Nowlett. “Dave don't ride like that.”
“It's Dave,” said Peter, replacing his pipe and looking more unsociable than ever.
Dave rode up and, throwing himself wearily from the saddle, stood ominously silent by the side of his horse.