is Miss Gray never tries. She just simply looks at you and
it's all over."
Bauer was amused and perplexed at Clifford's absolutely frank
confidence. There was nothing flippant about it either. It was the
simple expression of a nature that had nothing to conceal. There was not
even a hint of gossip about it, nor of ill nature. In a land where there
were no newspapers, telegraphs, telephones, railroads, or neighbours, it
seemed like the expression of a confidence which had in it neither
malice nor impertinent coarseness. And yet Bauer was puzzled to know
what Clifford's real feeling was towards Miss Gray even after Clifford's
own open statement made to him that day while they were sitting on the
old cottonwood by the river.
When the party started on again after a two hours' rest, Clifford nudged
Bauer to call attention to the fact that Walter and Miss Gray were in
the back seat of the chuck wagon in front of them. But he never
mentioned the matter again during the day, and until they reached the
night camping place he was alive with stories and information about the
desert, the Indians, the habits of the horses, the work of the Mission
and the coming snake dance.
The place chosen for the first night's camp was the Red Stone Tanks.
This consisted of a pool of tepid water and a few rocks, from the
crevices of which a straggling fringe of desert cedars was trying to
grow.
Camp was made here by pitching one of the big tents for the women. A big
fire of roots was started after the supper had been eaten, and when they
were all seated in the circle about the fire, Mr. Masters began a story.
Gradually as he went on with the old, old story of the lost sheep,
figures stole up around the fire. Paul, who with Esther and all the rest
was simply fascinated with the entire surroundings, although he did not
understand a word Masters was speaking, was startled as he looked around
and saw a dozen dark faces of young men and boys. They had risen out of
the desert barrenness and gloom, the sudden twilight, and silently
appeared. When the camp was chosen there was not a hogan or a living
creature anywhere in sight. But all of these quiet visitors knew that
the mission party was on the way to Oraibi and some of them had been
riding all day to meet Mr. and Mrs. Masters at this point.
When the story was finished, Miss Gray started a hymn, "The Ninety and
Nine." She sang with a low soft voice, almost talking the words, but old
Peshle
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