The Nevada County picayune., 1923-02-08

it's heat and the wind died down Yaqui took long and careful surveys west ward from the high points on the trail. Sunset was not far off ana there in bare, spotted valley lay Coyote tanks. the only Waterhole pc tween Papago well and the Sonoyta oasis. Gale used his glass, told 1aqul there was no smoke, no sign of llte' still the Indian fixed his falcon eyes on distant spots and looked long. NO further advance was undertaken. Ihe Yaqui headed south and traveled slowly, climbing to the brow of bold height of weathered mesa. There he sat his horse and waited. No one questioned him. The rangers dis mounted to stretch their legs, anG Mercedes was lifted to rock, where she rested Thorne had gradually yielded to the deserts influence for silence. He spoke once or twice to Gale, and occasionally whispered to Mercedes. Gale fancied his friend would soon learn that necessary speech in desert travel meant few greetings. few words to make real the fact of human c0mpanionsflp, q few short. terse terms for the buSl- ness of the day or night, and perhaps a stern order or soft call to d horse.
 The sun went down, and the golden, rosy wells turned to blue and shaded darker till twilight was there in the valley. Darkness approached, and the clear peaks faded. The horses stamped to be on the move.
 "Malo' exclaimed the Yaqui.
 He did not point with arm, but his falcon head was Outstretched, and his piercing eyes gazed at the blurring spot which marked the location of Coyote tanks.
 Jim, can you see anything?' asked Ladd
 Nope, but l reckon he can.''
 Then Ladd suddenly strengthened up, turned to his horse, and muttered low under his breath
 II reckon so," said Lash, and for once his easy, good-natured tone was not in evidence. His voice was harsh.
 Gales eyes, keen as they were, were last of the rangers to see tiny needle points of light just faintly pereeptible in the blackness.
 "Laddyl Campfres?' he asked, quickly
 Shores you're born, my boy"
 How many?'
 Ladd did not reply but Yaqui held up his hand, his fingers wide Five campfires A strong force of rebels or raiders or some other desert troop was camping at Coyote tanks.
 Yaqui sat his horse for a moment motionless as stone, his dark face i'm mutable and impressive. Then he stretched his right arm In the direc tion of No Name mountains, now los ing their last faint traces of the after glow, and he shook his head. He made the same impressive gesture toward the Sonoyta oasis with the same somber negation.
 ThereIpon he turned Diablo's head to the south and started down the slope. His manner had been decisive, even stern. Lash did not question it, nor did Ladd. Both rangers hesitated, however. and showed strange almost a sullen reluctance which Gale had never seen In them before. Raiders were one thing, Rojas was another; Camino del Diablo still another; but that vast and desolate and unwatered waste of cactus and lava, the Sonora desert, might appall the stoutest heart. Gale felt his own sink-felt himself finch.
 "Oh, where is he goingT' cried Mer- cedes. Her poignant voice seemed to break a spell.
 "Shore. lady. Yaquis goin' home. replied Ladd gently. An considerin' our troubles, reckon we ought to thank God he knows the way"
 They mounted and rode down the slope toward the darkening south
 Not until night travel was ohstruct- ed by wall of cactus did the Indian halt to make a dry camp. Water and grass for the horses and fire to cook by were not to be had. Mercedes bore up surprisingly; but she fell asleep almost the instant her thirst had been allayed. Thorne laid her upon a blan. ket and covered her. The men ate and drank. Gale lay down weary of limb and eye. He heard the soft thump of hoofs. the sough of wind Tn the eactus-then no more.
 Day dawned with the fugitives in the saddle. A picketed wall of cac- tus hedged them in. yet the Yaqui made tortuous path, that, zigzag as 1t might, in the main always headed south