-"

His will-power ebbed with his failing strength. Blindness fell upon
him. Oblivion swept over him. He sank, dying of thirst, in the sands
of the desert.

As the buzzard finds the dead, so an Apache crept upon Dick as he lay
prostrate. But as the Indian aimed, he heard footsteps from a draw.
He saw a man approaching the spring. Silently he fled behind the rocks.

It was Jack. He had entered the Lava Beds from the east, closely
following the man for whom he had searched for so many weary months.
Others of the Apaches had marked him already. Knowing he would go to
the spring, they waited warily to learn if he were alone. The band had
scattered to surround him at the water-hole.

Jack's horse and burro, which he had left at the head of the canon,
were already in the Indians' possession. With him he carried his rifle
and a Colt revolver. A canteen of water was slung over his shoulder.
The desert had placed its stamp upon him, turning his clothes to gray.
The tan of his face was deepened. Lines about the eyes and mouth
showed how much he had suffered physically and mentally in his search
for the man he believed was his successful rival in love. Reaching the
spring, he looked about cautiously before he laid down his Winchester.
He tugged at the butt of his revolver to make certain that it could be
pulled quickly from the holster. Taking off his hat, he knelt to
drink. He smiled, and confidently tapped his canteen when he found the
spring dry. He was raising his canteen to his lips when he spied
Dick's body.

Jumping behind a rock, he pulled his revolver, covering the insensible
man. It might be a trap. He scanned the trail, the cliff, the canon.
Hearing and seeing nothing, he slipped his revolver into his holster
and hurried to Dick's side. At first he did not recognize him. The
desert and thirst had wrought many changes in his friend's face.

When recognition came, he threw his arms about the prostrate form,
crying: "Dick, at last, at last!"

His voice was broken with emotion. The search had been so long, so
weary, and the ending so sudden. He had found Dick, but it looked as
if he came too late.

Gathering Dick up in his arms, he raised him until his head rested on
his knees. Forcing open his mouth, he poured a little water down his
throat.

Then with a moistened handkerchief he wetted temples and wrists. Slowly
Dick struggled back to life.

"Water--water--it's water!" he gasped, strugg