Like the moaning of the pines came the reply, “Nothin’, Mister, nobody can’t mean nothin’, can they?  I’m jest nobody.  But Pete lives in here; ask Pete.”

“Is Pete watching the sheep?” asked Mr. Howitt, anxious to divert the boy’s mind to other channels.

“Yes, we’re a tendin’ ’em now; but they can’t trust us, you know; when they call Pete, he just goes, and course I’ve got to go ’long.”

“Who is it calls Pete?”

“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.

“Hello, boy!” said the big man; “How’s Pete to-day?”

The lad went with glad face to the giant mountaineer.  It was clear that the two were the warmest friends.  “Pete’s mighty glad to-day, ’cause he’s come.”  He pointed to Mr. Howitt.  “Does Pete like him?”

The boy nodded.  “All Pete’s people like him.  Ask him to keep the sheep, Uncle Matt.  He won’t be scared at the shadow things in the night.”

Mr. Matthews smiled, as he turned to his guest.  “Pete never makes a mistake in his judgment of men, Mr. Howitt.  He’s different from us ordinary folks, as you can see; but in some things he knows a heap more.  I’m mighty glad he’s took up with you, sir.  All day I’ve been thinking I’d tell you about some things I don’t like to talk about; I feel after last night like you’d understand, maybe, and might help me, you having education.  But still I’ve been a little afraid, us being such strangers.  I know I’m right now, ’cause Pete says so.  If you weren’t the kind of a man I think you are, he’d never took to you like he has.”