Page:Silversheene (1924).djvu/70

 bears and perhaps mountain lions. I guess he has had a sorry time guarding that flock all right."

Richard was much impressed with the farmer's logic, although his faith in Silversheene did not waver. But as the farmer said, if it was a case of slow starvation he could not blame the dog.

Most of the mountain intervals and gulches Dick knew, although it was a rather wild country. He planned to stay several days if necessary, so he took three days provision and a heavy blanket, and also: a Winchester rifle. He did not intend to get caught again as he had with the wolves, so he had his revolver as well.

His plan was to go along the sides of the valleys, high enough up so that he could see all of the country below with his field glass. In that way he could search more rapidly. There was very little snow in the deep valleys, although in the woods along the slopes there was still considerable.

Dick walked rapidly and covered large