w was a
magnificent stone bridge.

"Nonnezoshe!" exclaimed the Navajo, with a deep and sonorous roll in his
voice.

XVIII. AT THE FOOT OF THE RAINBOW

The rainbow bridge was the one great natural phenomenon, the one grand
spectacle, which Shefford had ever seen that did not at first give vague
disappointment, a confounding of reality, a disenchantment of contrast
with what the mind had conceived.

But this thing was glorious. It silenced him, yet did not awe or stun.
His body and brain, weary and dull from the toil of travel, received a
singular and revivifying freshness. He had a strange, mystic perception
of this rosy-hued stupendous arch of stone, as if in a former life
it had been a goal he could not reach. This wonder of nature, though
all-satisfying, all-fulfilling to his artist's soul, could not be a
resting-place for him, a destination where something awaited him, a
height he must scale to find peace, the end of his strife. But it seemed
all these. He could not understand his perception or his emotion. Still,
here at last, apparently, was the rainbow of his boyish dreams and of
his manhood--a rainbow magnified even beyond those dreams, no longer
transparent and ethereal, but solidified, a thing of ages, sweeping up
majestically from the red walls, its iris-hued arch against the blue
sky.

Nas Ta Bega led on down the ledge and Shefford plodded thoughtfully
after him. The others followed. A jutting corner of wall again hid the
canyon. The Indian was working round to circle the huge amphitheater. It
was slow, irritating, strenuous toil, for the way was on a steep slant,
rough and loose and dragging. The rocks were as hard and jagged as
lava. And the cactus further hindered progress. When at last the long
half-circle had been accomplished the golden and rosy lights had faded.

Again the canyon opened to view. All the walls were pale and steely and
the stone bridge loomed dark. Nas Ta Bega said camp would be made at
the bridge, which was now close. Just before they reached it the Navajo
halted with one of his singular actions. Then he stood motionless.
Shefford realized that Nas Ta Bega was saying his prayer to this great
stone god. Presently the Indian motioned for Shefford to lead the others
and the horses on under the bridge. Shefford did so, and, upon turning,
was amazed to see the Indian climbing the steep and difficult slope on
the other side. All the party watched him until he disappeared behind