"I dare say we ought to find one in the hollow we got a glimpse of from the last rise; but we haven't had to put up with much discomfort yet." "That's a matter of opinion.

You haven't limped forty miles on a bad foot; but I'm not complaining.

It's a whole lot to feel that we have started; doing nothing takes the sand out of me." Blake had once or twice suggested that his comrade should ride, but the pony was overburdened and Harding refused.

He explained that they could not expect to sell it at the settlement if it were in a worn-out condition; but Blake suspected him of sympathy for the patient beast.
They crossed the ridge and, seeing a wavy line of trees in the wide hollow, quickened their pace.

The soil was firmer, the scrub through which the wheels crushed was short, and the trail led smoothly down a slight descent.