In the end he thought it highly likely that
Gurseyand Red would have quartered themselves here. Ill leave you till weve counted
out, then, Cabell said softly.
The sound of a horse splashing through the river
startled them. He took an axe from the wall, went to thedoor and quietened the dog.
Not so he can lift sheep off you this time.
He rode back into the scrub and sat down on a rock
for two hourswithout moving. Red demanded, giving the boy a rough
shake.
Therewere eight thousand sheep in the pens, eight
flocks. Now, that roan stallion was a fine horse, worth a lot ofmoney. Oh, how
helonged for that life again, the security, the accustomed face ofit! Afterwards
when youre free Ill give youmoney. Gursey seized him by the arm and shook it.
Hereturned to the humpy with it and sat down to eat.
Cabell looked at his feet, prized a stone out of
the dust with thetoe of his boot. McGovern rubbed his hands and sympathized with
Cabell atthe prospect of a prolonged flood.
For example, he had not theslightest idea how he
was going to make good his threats to Pete. Thefit was so violent that he had to
lean against the wall for awhile.
Where his jacket had pulled up his white belly was
bare, withpurple marks of the lash across it.
Its because I cantstand another flogging without
going mad, he said apologeticallyin a low tone.
Feeling about in the bundle, hestopped chewing,
turned to Joe, and whispered.
He stoppedand listened to Pete trying to reach the
box.
He had not to look far to understand
that.
Not so he can lift sheep off you this time.
McGovern effaced a querulous look with a smile. From the roofs of the buildings and
from the dust silver shimmersof heat arose. Wouldnt tell you if I wasnt drunk as
abastard.
Therewere eight thousand sheep in the pens, eight
flocks. Your oldmate and his offsider come back here this afternoon. You burn cedar
to boil your hominy and build your fences out ofmahogany.
McGovern ripped off his belt and whistled it down
on the boysshoulders.
Cabell watched him with a forced and deprecating
smile.
Pete gave hard little gasps as the muscles of his
back relaxed. Twenty minutes later he disappeared into thescrub.
When all the lags had gone Cabell stirred the lad
with his foot.