# XI explained — Shepherds of the Wild

> Chapter companion for Shepherds of the Wild by Edison Marshall.

## What happens

Hugh Gaylord meets Alice Crowson, the camp-tender, and is astonished to find she is a young, pretty white woman. He informs her of Dan's murder, and after a frank discussion about the dangers from cattlemen, he agrees to stay on as herder for two dollars a day, motivated by a growing desire to help her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Conflict Between Sheepmen and Cattlemen

Alice confirms that Dan was murdered by cattlemen who want to destroy the flock, and Hugh accepts the risk of staying.

### Love and Partnership

Hugh feels a strong, resistless desire to help Alice, and their negotiation and shared work hint at a growing bond.

## Character check-ins

### Hugh Gaylord

Surprised by Alice's identity and beauty; decides to stay with the flock despite the danger.

### Alice Crowson

Revealed as the camp-tender; negotiates Hugh's wage and honestly warns him of the cattlemen's threat.

### Pete

Mentioned as the Indian who accompanied Hugh to the camp and took the murdered herder to the settlements.

### Dan

The murdered herder; his death is reported to Alice by Hugh.

## Key lines

> The girl was evidently a partner with her father in this sheep-raising venture, and possibly for the sake of economy but probably because of the acute shortage of labor (Hugh had not forgotten the Indian’s words) had worked as camp-tender herself.

Alice worked as camp-tender due to labor shortages and to save money, partnering with her father.

_Explains Alice's role and the economic pressures of the frontier._

> "It’s a chance worth taking," he said with a sudden lightness of heart. "I’ll keep the job for a while at least."

Hugh decides the risk is acceptable and agrees to stay on as herder.

_Hugh's commitment to the job and to Alice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shepherds_of_the_wild_se/chapters/xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shepherds_of_the_wild_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/shepherds_of_the_wild_se/chapters