able horses dragged their comrade out of the quicksand. He
regained his feet, and plunged on. Spurred by fear, the horses
increased their efforts, and amid clouds of spray, galloped the
remaining distance to the other side.

Jones looked disgusted. Like all plainsmen, he hated water.
Emmett and his men calmly unhitched. No trace of alarm, or even
of excitement showed in their bronzed faces.

"We made that fine and easy," remarked Emmett.

So I sat down and wondered what Jones and Emmett, and these men
would consider really hazardous. I began to have a feeling that I
would find out; that experience for me was but in its infancy;
that far across the desert the something which had called me
would show hard, keen, perilous life. And I began to think of
reserve powers of fortitude and endurance.

The other wagons were brought across without mishap; but the dogs
did not come with them. Jones called and called. The dogs howled
and howled. Finally I waded out over the wet bars and little
streams to a point several hundred yards nearer the dogs. Moze
was lying down, but the others were whining and howling in a
state of great perturbation. I called and called. They answered,
and even ran into the water, but did not start across.

"Hyah, Moze! hyah, you Indian!" I yelled, losing my patience.
"You've already swum the Big Colorado, and this is only a brook.
Come on!"