The ray of light jumped out at Bard like an accusing arm.
Evidently a brief survey convinced Jerry Wood that the stranger was no more than what he pretended.

He opened the door wide and stepped back.
"Come in." Bard moved inside, taking off his hat.
"How'd you happen to be lost in the hills ?" "I'm a bit of a stranger around here, you see." The other surveyed him with a growing grin.
"I guess maybe you are.

Sure, we'll put you up for the night.

Where's your hoss ?" He went out and raised the lantern above his head to look.

The light shone back from the lustrous wide eyes of the grey.
Wood turned to Bard.
"Seems to me I've seen that hoss." "Yes.