Colorado. There were relatives on the mother's side,
but they were scattered, two brothers being in Europe at the time of
the accident. Brenda had reached her Western uncle just as he was
starting on one of his periodical moves--this time to Arizona.

The different social status of the families of the two brothers was
unusual, but not impossible in our country. One of the brothers was
ambitious, of steady habits, and possessed of a receptive mind; the
other was idle, impatient of restraint, with a disinclination to
protracted effort of any kind.

The distance to the first camp beyond Fort Wingate where we were sure
to find water was twenty-two miles; and it being impossible for us to
leave the post before three o'clock in the afternoon, we determined to
make a dry camp five and a half miles out.

When Frank and Henry learned that the start was not to be an early one
they rode out to the Arnold camp with the information, and the former
was duly presented to Miss Brenda. Gypsy was brought into the fort and
shod, and returned to her mistress in season for the march.

The evening was well advanced when we pitched our tents at the dry
camp. Horses and mules were turned out to graze for the first time
without water, and although in this mountain region the grass was
abundant, they did not cease to whinny and bray their discontent
throughout the night.

The sun dropped behind the mountain spurs, and we drew nearer and
nearer the fires, adding a thicker garment as the twilight deepened
into night. Frank expressed the trend of thought by asking, "We now
march into the heart of the Navajo country, do we not, sir?"

"Not precisely through the heart, but along its southern border."

"They'll try to make it lively for us, I suppose?"

"They will certainly watch us closely, and will take advantage of any
carelessness on our part."

"Do you think there is any chance of our finding Manuel Perea?"

"Hardly; he is too far off our route. We cannot leave the train to
look him up."

There was a suspicious choke in the voice of the little corporal when
he said: "It is awful to think we are going so near the dear old boy
and can do nothing for him. Only think of his poor mother!"

"I was told at the fort that she has offered five thousand dollars to
the man who will bring Manuel to her," said Frank. "I wish I could
bring him in for nothing."

"Brenda says she believes we shall find him somehow," Henry said. "I
hope she is rig