Page:Patches (1928).pdf/214

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

as well as they could with the greensward and laid a great pile of roses upon it, the cow-punchers' last tribute to their comrade.

As they started back to the ranch house some one suggested that they had better put Manito back in the corral but Hank Brodie said, "Let him alone. Perhaps he had rather stay up here."

The last thing Hank did before he retired that night was to go outside to look for Manito. To his surprise he saw the faithful horse still standing under the broad-spreading cottonwood.

The following day he was still near the tree. No one saw him eat grass or go to the creek for water, instead he seemed to be looking for somebody or listening for something. The third day he was still keeping his vigil and the fourth and the fifth. The evening of the sixth day as the cow-punchers lounged before the ranch house talking of Old Bill, Hank Brodie said, "I think I will take the Winchester and walk up to the old cottonwood. This sight of Manito watching and waiting for his master is too much for me."

"It is a good idea," said Pony; "it is bad enough to see a human breaking his heart for those he loves, but to see a horse is still worse."

"Me, too," put in Long Tom, "go ahead, Hank."

A few minutes later Hank walked slowly toward