The Greeley tribune., 1905-12-14
CHAPTER Nj.

"HE stars were still shining when
Peter Hamilton looked at his
watch next morning, but he
4 sternly fought the temptation to
lie another two minutes by remember
ing the days work before him, anG
went In search of the horse that he had
not picketed overnight. as the beast re-
qdired full belly after the hard
nights ride he had given him. Peter
had rolled out of his blankets with q
keen anticipatory relish for the day
ahead. 1t was well, he knew, that
there was ample work Of q definite
nature for Peter the COW puncher; as
for Peter the man, he was singularly
at sea. Had Judith Rodney been his
desert comrade all these cheerful years
for him to get his first belated insight
Into the real Judith only q few little
hours back? Or was 1t, he wondered,
her seeming Inconsistencies of him as
she rode brave and sorrowful through
the night to avert, IL might be, her
brothers death-at all events, to COM
fort and inspirit the frightened woman
and her little children-that had fresh
ly tinged the friendship he had 80 long
felt for her? Many were the questions
that Peter vaguely put to himself as
he started out for his long day In the
saddle, and none of them he answered.
Indeed. he could not satisfactorily ex-
plain to himself why he should think
Of Judith at all in this way. Surely 1t
was strange thing that he should dis
cover himself in a sentimental dream
of Judith.
For 1t was in such dreams that Kath-
crime Colebrooke had figured ever since
Peter could remember. For years, in
deed - and Judith knew it-he had
stood, tame and tractable, waiting for
Chloe to throw her dainty lariat. But
Chloe had intimated that her graceful
fingers were engaged with the ink pot
and her head with schemes for further
sonneting.
And there was Judith the great heart
ed, Judith who was as inspiring as a
breath Of hill air, Judith with no
thought of careers beyond the loyal do
ing Of her woman's part, Judith, trusty
and loyal-and Judith with that ac-
cursed family connecticut!
Peter dghtened his cinch and turned
his horse westward. After a couple
Of hours hard riding he could dimly
make out specks moving on that huge
background Of space, and presently
his horse neighed and put fresh spirit
into his gait, recognizing his fellows
in moving dots on the vast perspective,
and, being a beast of some intelligence.
for all his heavy footed failings, he
reasoned that food and rest would soon
be his portion. Peter had no further
use for the rowel.
Breakfast was already well under
way when he reached camp. The out
At, seated on saddles In a semicircle
about the chuck wagon, ate with that
peculiar combination of haste and skill
that doubtless the life of the saddle
counteracts, as digestive troubles are
apparently unknown among plainsmen.
The cook, in handing Peter his tin
plate. cup, spoon and black handled
fork. asked him II ''he would take
overland trout or Cincinnati chicken
this morning" The cook never omit
ted these jocular inquiries regarding
the various camp names for bacon. He
seemed to think that 4 choice Of alias
was as good a. 4 change Of menu.
There was little talk at breakfast, and
that bearing chiefly on the days work.
Every one was impatient for an early
start. The horse wrangler had his