laughed.

Shoop motioned to Sundown who rose from beside the fire. "You can
saddle up, Sun."

Sundown caught up his horse and stood waiting while one of the men
saddled two pack-animals. "Tony has the keys. He'll pack the stuff
for you," said Corliss. "Keep jogging and you ought to be back here by
sunup."

The assistant cook mounted and took the lead-rope of the pack-horses.
He was not altogether pleased with the prospect of an all-night ride,
but he knew that he had been chosen as the one whose services could
most easily be dispensed with at the camp. Silently he rode away, the
empty kyacks clattering as the pack-horses trotted unwillingly behind
him. Too busy with the unaccustomed lead-rope to roll cigarettes, he
whistled, and, in turn, recited verse to keep up his spirits.

About midnight he discerned the outline of the low ranch-buildings and
urged his horse to a faster gait. As he passed a clump of cottonwoods,
his horse snorted and shied. Sundown reined him in and leaned peering
ahead. The pack-animals tugged back on the rope. Finally he coaxed
them past the cottonwoods and up to the gate. It was open, an unusual
circumstance which did not escape his notice. He drifted through the
shadows toward the corral, where he tied the horses. Then he stepped
to the bunk-house, found a lantern and lighted it. He hallooed. There
was no response. He stalked across to the ranch-house. He found the
door unlocked. "Hi! Tony!" he called. No one answered. He pushed
the door open and entered. Holding the lantern above his head he
peered around the room.