Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-04

we remained in the hole or attempted
dash through the desert on foot.
u u
WE returned to the machine and
w sat down to talk things over.
Fletcher's usual attitude of cheerful
ness had vanished; he looked serious
and sorely troubled ~
John" he said. as we sat down,
cit looks as IL we're marooned here
for keeps. If we climb out without
the machine wen only jump from the
frying pan into the fire. We've got
SO quarts Of water. "It would take
five gallons Of water apiece each day
to march in this heat, and we haven't
enough water to even make a start"
I agreed with Fletcher most en-
phatically that to chimp cut of the
chasm afoot and attempt to walk to
water or civilization was nothing
short of suicide.
Jack. for getting ourselves out of
this" said. 1.-The first Of these
chances is to find water here in this
hole. If we could find water we
ought to be able to put out bases Of
supply between here and Owl Hole.
We've got six siX-quart canteens that
can be used for the purpose, and we
can also use the fuel tanks of the
machine. We could pick up the cans
as we go. and after getting to Owl
Hole relay ourselves on to Paradise
Spring in the same manner.
1.-THE other chance that I can see is
to take the motor cycle and side car
to pieces, lug them out, and reassem-
BILE it again. I reckon we'd have to
carry the pieces good five miles, and
we couldn't carry more than about so
pounds at a time up those cliffs.
"The job would probably take us a
week, and we should be working on
short rations of both food and water.
Then. If anything went wrong to de.
lay us seriously. we'd be done. AS to
our supply of food. I believe we could
make it-but water is different story
But IL we could. find water in this
place. we'd be safe
"All right, them, replied Fletcher
Which is it to be-start tearing down
the machine. or find water?"
Suppose we compromise" sug-
gested. You hunt the water, and I'll
start the work Of taking the machine
to pieces"
shook hands on it. Forthwith he
shouldered a canteen and set out
through the chaparral and rocks.
while I broke open the tool-roll, and
began the work of dismantling the
sidecar outfit.
I had been at work for perhaps an
hour, during which time l was twice
driven to make inroads upon the pre-
cious contents of the canteens, when
was startled to hear a pistol.shot
far off up the chasm in the direction
taken by Fletcher.
What is he shooting att" asked
myself.
followed his tracks for half mile,
and then began shouting through the
brush in an effort to locate him. Pres.
emily he answered my call, and ]
came upon him down all on tours
between two huge rocks. paving away
at the earth like a terrier endeavoring
to unearth bone. He was so intent
upon his work that he never even
stopped digging when I approached.
He merely glanced around over his
shoulder.
eve found it! I've found itr' he
shouted.
Found what?" I asked.
Water! Man. Water. Look at that
earth! It's moist"-and he went on
clawing away at the ground. / saw
at a glance that the earth was moist
as he had said, and almost stimuli.
taneously my spirits scared high as
my eye fell upon dead jackrabbit
placed on a rock alongside Flecher's
hat and pistol. The mystery Of the
shot had heard was solved.