The cabin and little level clearing accentuated the loneliness and wildness of the forest.

Ellen always liked it here and had once been in the habit of visiting the old man often.

But of late she had stayed away, for the reason that Sprague's talk and his news and his poorly hidden pity depressed her.
Presently she heard hoof beats on the hard, packed trail leading down the canyon in the direction from which she had come.

Scarcely likely was it that Sprague should return from this direction.

Ellen thought her father had sent one of the herders for her.