He would think the best until certain of the worst.

The morning was gloriously bright, and already the frost was glistening wet on the stones.

Grass Valley shone like burnished silver dotted with innumerable black spots.

Burros were braying their discordant messages to one another; the colts were romping in the fields; stallions were whistling; cows were bawling.

A cloud of blue smoke hung low over the ranch house, slowly wafting away on the wind.