He haunted the vicinity of the ranch-house at night, watching and listening for that moment which was to aid him in the crisis that was impending.

Many a time he had been near when Columbine passed from the living-room to her corner of the house.

He had heard her sigh and could almost have touched her.
Buster Jack had suffered a regurgitation of the old driving and insatiate temper, and there was gloom in the house of Belllounds.
Trouble clouded the old man's eyes.
May came with the spring round-up.

Wade was called to use a rope and brand calves under the order of Jack Belllounds, foreman of White Slides.

That round-up showed a loss of one hundred head of stock, some branded steers, and yearlings, and many calves, in all a mixed herd.
Belllounds received the amazing news with a roar.