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Show 43 Cap grinned and they hoisted their packs once more. Josh stifled a groan. Chinook, who had curled UP at Josh's feet, sprung up as they started on. Instead of ranging ahead as he usually did when he was unloosed, now he was content to trot at the boys' heels. Just before the moon went down they topped out of the canyon to rolling country that angled down from the high mountains. Cap pointed to a nearby large pinyon tree. Beneath the tree was a carpet of needles and cones. "We'll sleep there, unless you want to go on," Cap said. "Too dark, though.n With a low moan Josh fell to his knees, rolled over to unloose the pack, and lay for a minute catching his breath. From here it was only a few hours hike into Dog Leg Valley where they could live totally free-according to Cap. On the slopes of Mount Tabor ahead, which loomed like a shadow in the darkness, there were thick pines and quaking aspen. That was mountain man country, and they were going to live there. The thought should have thrilled Josh, but instead a quiver went through him and for a fleeting moment he wished himself home in his own bed. When he had rolled out his sleeping bag, Josh sat on it and tried to untie a knot that had somehow got into his tennis shoe laces. Chinook had sniffed around all the neighboring trees, and now came and lay down with a tired sigh on the foot of Josh's bed. Josh looked over at his friend. Cap was already sleeping. He wished he could be as tough as Cap. And know all the things like which plants to eat and how to catch fish with your hands. Maybe |