Forbes, the young Eastern scholar, and Pete began to understand each
other. Pete, who had at first considered the young Easterner affected,
and rather effeminate, slowly realized that he was mistaken. Forbes
was a sincere and manly fellow, who had taken his share of hard knocks
and who suffered ill health uncomplainingly--an exile of his chosen
environment, with little money and scarce a companion to share his
loneliness.
As for Forbes, he envied Pete his abundant health and vigor and admired
his unspoiled enthusiasm. Pete's humor, which somehow suggested to
Forbes the startling and inexplicable antics of a healthy colt, melted
Forbes's diffidence, and they became friends and finally chums. Pete
really learned as much through this intimacy as he did from his books:
perhaps more. It was at Pete's suggestion that Forbes took to riding a
horse, and they spent many afternoons on the desert, drifting slowly
along while they discussed different phases of life.
These discussions frequently led to argument, sincere on Pete's part,
who never realized that Forbes's chief delight in life was to get Pete
started, that he might enjoy Pete's picturesque illustration of the
point, which, more often than not, was shrewdly sharp and convincing.
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