"Cougar or some varmint pulled down that calf." Then he discharged his rifle in the air and yelled with all his might.

It was necessary then to yell again to hold Shepp back.
Thereupon Jean set forth down the valley, and tramped out and across and around, as much to scare away whatever had been after the stock as to look for the wounded calf.

More than once he heard cattle moving away ahead of him, but he could not see them.

Jean let Shepp go, hoping the dog would strike a trail.

But Shepp neither gave tongue nor came back.