Those left behind had worked well, and the palisade was as perfect as could be contrived.

A runlet of water had been led through a hollow trunk into a trough--also hewn from a log--close by Elspeth's bower, where she could make her toilet unperplexed by other eyes.

Also they had led a stream into the horses' enclosure, so that they could be watered with ease.
The weather cleared in the evening, as it often does in a hill country.
From the stockade we had no prospect save the reddening western sky, but I liked to think that in a little walk I could see old Studd's Promised Land.

That was a joy I reserved for myself on the morrow, I look back on that late afternoon with delight as a curious interlude of peace.

We had forgotten that we were fugitives in a treacherous land, I for one had forgotten the grim purpose of our quest, and we cooked supper as if we were a band of careless folk taking our pleasure in the wilds.