"Why, they, don't you know? I 'lowed you knowed about things. They
called Pete last night. The moonlight things was out, and all the
shadow things; didn't you see them, Mister? The moonlight things,
the wind, the stars, the shadow things, and all the rest played
with Pete in the shiny mists, and, course, I was along. Didn't you
hear singin'? Pete he always sings that a way, when the moonlight
things is out. Seems like he just can't help it."

"But what becomes of the sheep when Pete goes away?"

The boy shook his head sadly; "Sometimes they get so lost that
Young Matt can't never find 'em; sometimes wolves get 'em; it's
too bad, Mister, it sure is." Then laughing aloud, he clapped his
hands; "There was a feller at the ranch to keep 'em, but he didn't
stay; Ho! Ho! he didn't stay, you bet he didn't. Pete didn't like
him, Brave didn't like him, nothing didn't like him, the trees
wouldn't talk when he was around, the flowers died when he looked
at 'em, and the birds all stopped singin' and went away over the
mountains. He didn't stay, though." Again he laughed. "You bet he
didn't stay! Pete knows."

"Why did the man go?" asked Mr. Howitt, thinking to solve a part
of the mystery, at least. But the only answer he could draw from
the boy was, "Pete knows; Pete knows."

Later when the stranger returned to the house, Pete went with him;
at the big gate they met Mr. Matthews, returning unsuccessful from
his trip.