The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-03-29
CHAPTER l.
The Water.Hcle.

A fitful breeze played among the
mesquite bushes. The naked earth,
where II showed between the clumps
of grass. was baked plaster hard. AL
though the sun was halfway down the
west, Its glare remained untempered,
and the tantalizing shade of the sparse
mesquite was more OF n trial than n
comfort to the lone woman who. refus-
ing its deceltful invitation, plodded
steadily over the waste. Stop, indeed,
h dared not. In spite of her fatigue,
regardless of the torture from feet and
limbs unused to walking, she must,
ms she constantly assured herself, keep
going until strength failed. Somewhere
TO h northward. perhaps a mile. per.
haps n league distant, lay the water
hole.
Desert travel was nothing new to
her; thirst and fatigue were old nc
quaintances. She readiusted the strap
OF the empty water bag over her Shout
der and the loose cartridge belt at her
hip, then set her dusty feet down the
slope. The sun had grown red and
'NS' nv hl luNl III inc IlTu-iluktu
earth she discovered fresh footprints.
She followed them gladly, 20
aged when they were Joined by
others. A low bluff rose on her left,
n along It's crest scattered Spanish
daggers were rnggedly s~ilhouetted
against the sky. She tried to rum. bur
her legs We're heavy; she stumbled a
fFpanf Inat pV1 H., Ia...I ..-H-
strange, distressing sounds rs 1t issued
from her open lips. Rounding the
steep shoulder of the ridge, she has
tended down Il declivity into n knot of
scrub oaks and ebony trees. then halt
ed, staring ahead OF her. Nesting in
II shallow, ilinty bowl was a pool of
water, and on its brink n little fire was
burning.
1t was n tiny fire, overhung with n
~blackened pot the odor of greasewood
and mesquite smoke was sharp. A
man, rising swiftly 10 his feet at the
first sound, was staring ut the new
conner; he was as alert as any wild
thing. But the woman staggered d.
rectly toward the pond, seeing nothing
after the first glance except the water.
She would have flung herself full
length upon the edge, but the man
stepped forward and stayed her, then
placed a tin cup In her hand. She
mumbled something In answer 10 his
greeting and the hoarse, ravenlike
croak in her voice startled her; her
she drank, with trembling eagerness,
drenching the front of her dress. The
water was warm, but II was clean and
delicious.
Easy now Take your time" said
the man, rs he reflled the cup. at
won't give out"
She knelt and wet her face and neck.
Felt the strangers hands beneath her
arms, felt herself lifted To a more COM
Portable position. Without asking per-
mission, the stranger uulucci first one,
then the other OF her dusty boots,
seeming not 10 notice her weak Mt
tempt at resistance. Once he had
placed her bare feet in the water. she
forgot her resentment in the intense
relief.
The man left her seated in q col
lapsed, -semicOnsciOus state. and went
back TO his fire. II was dark when for
the first time she turned her head to-
ward the camp fire and stared curious
~ at he figure there. The appetizlng
odor Of broillng bacon had drawn her
attention. and as II no move went I'M
noticed the man said, without lifting
his eyes:
Supper will be ready directly.
How'd you like your eggs-If we had
nny?"
He spoke with an unmistakable Tex
as drawl the woman put him down at
once for n cowboy. Well back from
the fire he had arranged a seat for her.
using n saddle blanket for n cover
Ing, and upon this she lowered herself
stinly.
II suppose you wonder how HAP
pen 10 be here" she said.
"Now don't talk I'll you're rested.
miss. This coffee is strong enough to
walk on its hands. and l reckon about
two cups OF It II rastle you into shape"
AS she raised the tin mug to her lips
he waved IA hand and smiled. Drink