"What about land," he called.
"Land? Land, my friend? Do you want to know how they measure land in the west? I'll tell you."
Immediately he started telling, all about how he had staked out land by riding for three days straight west, then three south, three east, and three north. Finally he came back to the starting point and all the land he'd ridden around was his. Joe spat disgustedly.
"You thinkin' of goin'?" John Geragty asked Joe.
"I've been pondering on it."
"So have I."
Joe slipped away from the group and his feet were light on the starry path. The curtains had parted, at least for the time being, and he had seen the bright promise. He must hurry home at once so he could tell Emma about it too.