After Li Long went down the mountain, Harimu ate two more pieces of nang, then led out his horse, saddled it, and secured a sack of rice and a sack of flour to its back. He went back into the Winter Camp, took the gun off the wall and checked it, then slung it over his back, went outside, mounted his horse, and headed into the mountains.
The snow was deep. After riding across the flat stretch, Harimu dismounted and led his horse forward.
He knew the route well, but still walked ahead to probe the way, keeping the horse from stepping into a hole and breaking a leg.
After all, marmots dug plenty of new holes every year. The holes were small, but if a horse stepped straight into one, it was very likely to break a leg when it moved forward.
Forty or fifty minutes later, he arrived at Jade Mountain River's home. Jade Mountain River was carrying bundles of hay into the sheep pen. Hearing the dogs bark, he turned and spotted Harimu, shook out the bundle in his hands, then put down his wooden pitchfork and walked over.
"Harimu, hello there! What have you brought me?"
"Li Long came by and brought some rice and flour. I had him haul away the things everyone had left at my place and told him what we needed. He might bring it over tomorrow.
"What I'm thinking is, let everyone know to come to my place tomorrow morning. Then everyone can take what they need. I don't have room to keep it all at my place."
"All right, all right. Shall we split up and tell them?" Jade Mountain River asked. "I can't get around to everyone by myself, and neither can you."
"Yes, yes. I'll slaughter a sheep