Seated on a pile of canvas and using one of the two log sections for a workbench, he devoted his attention to putting a D-ring on a lash cinch. With his smallest punch he had made two sets of matching holes in the leather. Now, with the ring in place and the strap folded over, he was doing the stitching with two strands of waxed thread, each pulled with a two-inch needle. After a whole winter in which to go through his gear and make repairs, it took but one trip to bring this detail to his attention. The rope knot was about to pull through the eye of the leather, and putting on a D-ring now would save a lot of trouble later. Fielding was glad to have the time, and the peace and quiet, to tend to it. When he was done with his work and had his equipment put away, he saddled the dark horse he had kept in the corral overnight. Shading in color from deepest brown to black, the horse was well built for packing, with close quarters and a thick body. He was also a good saddle horse, poky at times, and Fielding had to ride him every once in a while to keep him in tune.
