An' I'm sure prejudiced, which's no wonder, considerin' where I saw him in Denver....

I reckon, before I go any farther, I'd better meet this Belllounds boy an' see what's in him." * * * * * It was characteristic of Wade that this soliloquy abruptly ended his thoughtful considerations for the time being.

This was owing to the fact that he rested upon a decision, and also because it was time he began to attend to the object of his climb.
Bench after bench he had ascended, and the higher he got the denser and more numerous became the aspen thickets and the more luxuriant the grass.

Presently the long black slope of spruce confronted him, with its edge like a dark wall.

He entered the fragrant forest, where not a twig stirred nor a sound pervaded the silence.