"You're not staying here, a wolf will probably come along and eat you," Vasquez says bluntly, as if there are even wolves out here. Maybe it won't be a specific animal, but it's going to come and eat the man, he knows that. Vasquez lets the rope loose when the man is clear, looping it to tuck it back into his belt.

When he gets to his side, he crouches and nods with his head. "Come on, I'll help carry you back to this Steve," he says. "Tell me where he is. Can he help your leg?"