It seemed settled then that Adam and Dismukes were
to meet in some vagueplace at some vague time.
Youve got the best of me, said Dismukes, shaking
hands. It seems that always nature strikes mewith its terrible mace!
But youll want to go through it all an youll goback
again.
I gave her away to a boy who starved on the
desert.
Never a sight of a green palo verde but a pang
struck through hisbreast!
The life suited Adam, for heknew Charley Jim did
not frequent the trails of white men. Aspectre, weird and grotesque as a yucca tree,
loomed out there in theshadows of the desert night.
Wansfell, youre a young man, though Isee grey over
your temples. Well, just the same, now that youre headin up into thiscountry, I
advise you to be careful.
Wansfell, youre thebest-built man I ever saw on the
desert.
Didnt you look him up on purpose to kill
him?
The moment was fraught with keen pain and a
melancholyassurance of the changes time had made. That is well, for it is what God
intended. And also there was some significance in his bringing Adamthere. Hourshe
consecrated to remorse, to regret, to suffering, to punishment. His _expression_
changed, but it was not with recognition. But when you domeet them life seems
intensified.
A tranquillity, a veil seemed to have been rent. I
wonder how itll be withme when my hour comes to leave the desert.
And that seemed to hold something fatalisticand
inevitable.
Say, you dont pack all that money along with you?
His great ox eyes, rolling and dark, bent a strange,curious glance over Adams lofty
figure.
Ive goneso deep, but I cant go any deeper. Tecopah
was just a water-hole for me, replied Adam. There seemed to be a sad pleasure in
thusbaffling the old prospector. Dismukes, how near are you to getting all your five
hundred thousand? How cold and pure, untainted by dust or life oruse! If I made you
my wife it might be to your shame and sorrow. Helashed his soul with bitter
thoughts, lest he forget and find peace.
It seemed settled then that Adam and Dismukes were
to meet in some vagueplace at some vague time.
I cant find any hope out there inthe
desert.
Of courseIve had to go to freighting posts and
camps. Ive guided wagon trains across the Mohave.