Two or three horses stood adjacent to the doorway of the humble barn,
patiently flickering their long, unkempt tails in a vain effort to ward
off the attacks of swarming flies. A few chickens moved about
drowsily, just outside the hutch which had been contrived for their
nightly shelter. While stretched upon the dusty earth, side by side,
lay two great rough-coated dogs slumbering their hours of watch and
ward away in the shade, with the indifference of creatures whose vain
hopes of battle have been all too long deferred.
All of a sudden there came a partial awakening.
Out of the west, down the slope of a neighboring hill came a figure on
horseback. It was moving at a rapid gallop. The horses at the barn
turned about and raised their heads watchfully. They whinnied at the
approach. The two dogs were on their feet startled into alertness,
vain hope rising once more in their fierce hearts. The hens cackled
fussily at the prospect of their deferred evening meal. The last of
the cattle ambled heavily from the water's edge.
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