Chapter 16

⁠​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​​​​⁠With the coming of noon Peter sat down under a stunted cembra pine tree and contemplated the distant rocky blue ridge with a wistful and discouraged air. He removed from his trouser-pocket two yellow loquats and devoured them.

He was dreadfully hungry. His stomach fathered a dull, persistent ache, which forced upon his attention the pains in his muscles and bones. It was their way of complaining ag