Instead he had learned a good deal which he should have known before.
As he forged up the slope across the ridged lip of the canyon, his one immediate object was speed.

Up the canyon and over the divide on the west shoulder of Bear Top was a trail to the open country beyond.

It was perfectly passable, as Swan knew; he had packed in by that trail when he located his homestead on Bear Top.

That is why he had his cabin up and was living in it before the Sawtooth discovered his presence.
Al, he believed, was making for Bear Top Pass.

Once down the other side he would find friends to lend him fresh horses.