They had to ride more slowly as they drew near the creek. Familiar landmarks were swallowed in darkness now, for the last vestige of moonlight had disappeared behind the lowering clouds. Billy was in the lead as they picked their cautious way down the approach to the watercourse. He was figuring, and rightly, perhaps, that what happened to the herd now was his responsibility. Not only because he had agreed to trail boss, but because he had made the decision to move it east with only four men to handle it. That couldn’t be helped under the circumstances, and he knew it. But he also knew that a trail boss and a ship’s captain had a lot in common—both had to bring their charges through, regardless of wind and weather, and both were responsible for their own decisions. If they made their desti
