It was enough that another creature more helpless than he was dependent upon him for guidance and protection.
"It's all right, girl," he whispered, throwing an arm about the mare's neck.

"We'll stick to each other and pull through somehow." Then plucking a handful of dried grass, he gave the animal a brisk rubbing that warmed them both.

By the time it was finished, birds were twittering in the dense growth behind them, and the eastern sky was suffused with the glow of coming day.
Knowing nothing of his surroundings, nor what eyes might in a few minutes more discover these new features of the beach, Ridge now removed his slender belongings to a hiding-place behind some bushes, where he also fastened Senorita.

Then he set forth to explore the shore with the hope of finding a path into the interior; for to force a way through the tangled chaparral that everywhere approached close to the water's edge seemed hopeless.
He had not gone a dozen paces when Senorita uttered a shrill neigh of distress at being thus deserted, and began a noisy struggle to break loose.

With a muttered exclamation of dismay Ridge ran back.