It's a long way to the settlements, and there'll be quite a load of provisions and things to pack." They had made a cache of most of their provisions the previous night, after searching in vain for a route by which they could lead the horse over the range in front of them; but Weston shook his head.
"No," he said, "we may not come back this way after all, and a horse is pretty sure to get a hobble of any kind foul round something in the bush.

I can't have the beast held up to starve." "Well," said Grenfell, "I guess you understand what leaving it loose means ?" Weston did.

He recognized that if they ever regained that valley they would have to push on for the settlements through a most difficult country, under a heavy load, and even then leave behind them many things which might have ministered to their comfort.

Still, he was resolute.
"The beast could find its food somehow if we left it loose, and it's quite probable that it would work down along the back trail to the settlements when the grass round here gets scarce," he said.

"In any case we'll give it a chance for its life." Grenfell made a sign of acquiescence.
"Have it your way.