All that he had done up to this moment was but careful preparation for great journeys.

He resolved to fling himself into unknown trails--to know the mountains as no other man knew them.
Again he rode down into the valley of the Arickaree, and as the boys came rolling out with cordial shouts of welcome, his eyes smarted a little.

He slipped from his horse and shook hands all around, and ended by snatching Pink and pressing her soft cheek against his lips--something he had never done before.
They bustled to get his breakfast, while Reynolds took care of Kintuck.
Cora, blushing prettily as she set the table for him, said: "We're mighty glad to see you back, Mose.

Daddy said you'd never turn up again, but I held out you would." "Oh, I couldn't stay away from Kintuck and little Pink," he replied.
"How'd they feed ye back there ?" inquired Mrs.Reynolds.
"Oh, fair to middlin'-- but, of course, they couldn't cook like Ma Reynolds." "Oh, you go hark!" cried Mrs.Reynolds, vastly delighted.

"They've got so much more to do with." It was good to sit there in the familiar kitchen and watch these simple, hearty women working with joy to feed him.