I will look after the ponies; then you and I will hit the pines," directed Tom, rising.
The forest woman was hanging up the mess kits to dry when Tom and Hippy went out to water and rub down the ponies.

She beckoned them to wait.
"I been thinkin' 'bout what ye said of Peg Tatem, Cap'n Gray, and I don't like it," she said in a tone low enough to prevent being overheard by the girls, who were preparing for bed.

"Peg must have been mad 'bout somethin' and I reckon it would be healthy for us to git out of here in the mornin' and camp as far away from Forty-three as we kin.

What do ye say, Cap'n ?" "Don't worry about Peg.

We shall be out of this in the morning, anyway.
I have to leave you to-morrow, so take good care of the girls and don't let Henry eat the bull pup." "He had better not," growled Hippy.
The two Overland men went to their lean-to laughing, Mrs.Shafto feeding the night logs to the fire before seeking her own browse-bed, Henry taking up his resting place a little distance from her in the shadows and away from the fire.