use I ascended the hill on the
other side. The cattle always crossed the river without the aid of the
foot-bridge, however, and took this route to the upper range, where
they were pretty sure to be now. I hoped that the pursuit would not
lead me far among the hills. While thus in the open the situation was
not unpleasant; I rather enjoyed the feeling of the rain drops in my
face. Just as I gained the crest of the hill beyond the river I heard
some one shouting, and, looking back, saw Jessie. She was out in the
yard in the rain calling and waving the apron that she had snatched
off for the purpose. With the noise of the rain and the rushing river
it was impossible to make out what she was saying. I was sure, though,
that she merely wished to remonstrate with me for not wearing the
mackintosh. I waved my hand to let her know that I saw her, and then
hurried on down the farther slope of the hill. I walked fast for a
long distance without coming upon any trace of the cattle, and then I
fell gradually into the slower pace that is meant for staying. As I
did so my thoughts again reverted to the money-counting problem that
had vexed me over night. In the re-assuring light of day it did not
seem so entirely probable that Jessie had been so mistaken in her
count, and it did not so much matter that I had forgotten after all to
ask her where the money was kept.

CHAPTER XVII

A QUEER BANK

In spite of obliterating rain, there were plenty of fresh cattle
tracks along and by the side of the trail. It did not necessarily
follow that any of the tracks were made by our cattle, still, they
might have been, and with this slight encouragement, I hurried along,
getting gradually higher, and deeper into the mountains. As I went I
reflected bitterly on the perversity of cow nature. A nature that
leads these gentle seeming creatures to endure hunger, thirst, and
weariness, to push for miles into a trackless wilderness, if by so
doing they can put their owners to trouble and expense. It was not
often that our cattle ranged so far away from home, and it was with a
little unconfessed feeling of dismay that, pausing to take stock of my
surroundings, I suddenly discovered that I was close upon the Hermit's
cave, and no signs of the strays yet. At the same time I made another
discovery as comforting as this was disquieting. Guard, whom I had
forgotten to invite to accompany me, was skulking along in the
underbrush beside the trail, unce