They were wiping their brows with their arms and panting with their work.
He first resolved on sending Mickey O'Dowd to the house.

The distance was great, and the man's assistance might be essential.

But he could not bear to leave his wife without news from him.

Then, after considering a while, he made up his mind to go back toward his own fence, making his way as he went southerly down toward the river.
They who were determined to injure him would, he thought, repeat their attempt in that direction.

He hardly said a word to his two followers, but rode at a foot-pace to the spot at his fence which he had selected as the site of his bivouac for the night.
"It won't be very cheery, Bender," he said to the German; "but we shall have to make a night of it till they disturb us again." The German made a motion with his arms intended to signify his utter indifference.