The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-12-21

little. A mile up the arroyo, near Its
head. lay the Papago well. The need
of water for his horse entailed a risk
that otherwise he could have avoided.
The well was on Mexican soil. Gale
distinguished a faint light fiickering
through the thin, sharp foliage. Camp
ers were at the well, and. whoever
they were, no doubt they had prevent
ed Ladd from meeting Gale. Ladd
had gone back to the next waterhole,
or maybe he was hiding In an arroyo
to the eastward. awaiting develop
ments.
Gale turned his horse, not without
urge Of iron arm and persuasive
speech. for the desert steed scented
water, and plodded back to the edge
of the arroyo. where in secluded
circle Of mesquite he halted. The
horse snorted his relief at the removal
Of the heavy, burdened saddle and ac-
coutrements Gale poured the con-
tents Of his larger canteen into his
hat and held It to the horses nose.
Drink, Sol." he said.
II was hut a drop for thirsty
horse. However. Blanco Sol rubbed a
wet muzzle against Gales hand in ap-
probation. Gale loved the horse. and
was loved In return. They had saved
each others lives. and had spent long
days and nights of desert solitude to-
gether.
The spot of secluded ground was
covered with lunches Of galleta grass
upon which Sol began to Craze. Gale
made a long halter of his lariat to
keep the horse from wandering In
search of water. Next Gale kicked
on the cumbersome chapparejos, with
their Tapping. tripping folds Of leather
over his feet. and drawing long rife
from his saddle sheath, he slipped
away into the shadows. In the soft
sand his steps made no sound. The
twinklIng light vanished occasionally,
like a Jack -o'-lantern. and when 1t did
show 1t seemed still long way off.
Gale was not seeking trouble or In
viting danger Water was the thing
that drove him. He must see who
these campers were. and then decide
how to give Blanco Sol drink.
STOPPING low. with bushy mesquites
between him and the fire, Gale ad-
vanced The coyotes were in full
cry. Gale heard the tramplng. stamp
Ing thumps of many hoofs The sound
worried him. Foot by foot he ad-
vanced, and finally began to crawl.
The nearer he approached the head
Of the arroyo, where the well was To-
Gated. the thicker grew the desert veg
90 hi .ol-
tion, and then rose to peep from be-
hind his covert
He saw a bright fire. not cooking
Are, for that would have been low and
red. but a cracking blaze Of mes
quite. Three men were In sight, all
close to the burning sticks. They were
Mexicans and Of the coarse type OF
raiders, rebels, bandits that Gale had
expected to see A CLINT Of steel
caught his eye. Three short. shiny
carbines leaned against rock. lit
tie to the left, within the circle OF
light, stood square house made OF
adobe bricks. This house was
Papagon Indian habitation, and
month before had been occupied by
family that had been murdered or
driven of by rowing band OF out
laws. A rude corral showed dimly In
the edge Of freight and from black
mass within came the snort and stamp
and whinny Of horses.
Gale took In the scene In one quick
glance, then sank down at the foot
Of the mesquite. He had naturally
expected to see more men. But the
situation was by no mems new. This