whirling the heavy poncho about one's ears every few moments, it
was difficult to preserve any sense at all. They galloped on, however,
occasionally pausing to shout, straining their eyes into the darkness
on every side. But nothing came back to eye or ear. Apparently they had
the wilderness to themselves. There was no sign of even an Indian
pueblo.

It was during one of these halts that the boys ejaculated
simultaneously: "The river!"

"No," shouted Roldan, a moment later "it is only a creek."

"Are we lost?" demanded Adan; and even the loud tone had a note of
pained resignation in it.

"No; I think this must be what he meant. Some of the low people say
river for everything but the ocean. It is shallow, and we cannot turn
back. Come."

They rode along the bank until they came to an easy slope, then
crossed, and cantered on. In a very short time the storm was behind
them and the stars burst out, but there was no sign of habitation. They
kept on for an hour longer, hoping for a welcome twinkle below; but not
even a coyote crossed their path. As far as they could see in the
starlight they were on a plain of illimitable reach, bare but for low
shrubs whose kind they could not determine, although once Adan's coat
caught on a prickly surface. The atmosphere was warm and very dry.

Finally Roldan reined in.

"We must rest," he said, "and build a fire, or we shall be stiff
to-morrow. And it is long past the hour for supper."

"The sooner we eat and sleep and dry, the better for me," said Adan.

The boys dismounted and tied their horses to a palm, then looked about
for firewood. There was not a tree to be seen; they had not passed one
since they left the creek. Nor could they see any sign of flint with
which they might set fire to a clump of palms.

Adan, who had been on his knees, suddenly remarked: "There is not a
blade of grass, Roldan. What will the mustangs do?"

"They are eating the palm, perhaps that will do them until to-morrow.
But the poor things must be as hungry as twenty. Come, let us strip,
hang our things up, and run. The water is in my bones."

The boys peeled off the clinging steaming garments and ran up and down
until hunger sent them to the saddle bags. The mayor domo had provided
them abundantly, and once more they looked upon the world with hopeful
eyes.

"But we must sleep," said Roldan, "and it is not going to be easy for
mind or body--if there are rattlers about--with no fire. We must ta