And then, when he had repudiated this feeling as unworthy of him, he began to consider within himself whether he would not do better for his property by taking his men with him on to his run, and endeavoring to drive his sheep out of danger.

But as he thought of all this, he still worked, still fired the grass, and still controlled the flames.
Presently he became aware of what seemed to him at first to be a third fire.

Through the trees, in the direction of the river, he could see the glimmering of low flames and the figures of men.

But it was soon apparent to him that these men were working in his cause, and that they, too, were burning the grass that would have fed the advancing flames.

At first he could not spare the minute which would be necessary to find out who was his friend, but, as they drew nearer, he knew the man.