How true had been his steps! They had led, by devious and tortuous paths, to the home of his daughter.
Wade crouched under the aspens, accepting this burden as a man being physically loaded with tremendous weights.

His shoulders bent to them.
His breast was sunken and labored.

All his muscles were cramped.

His blood flowed sluggishly.

His heart beat with slow, muffled throbs in his ears.