As far as they could see in the starlight
they were on a plain of illimitable reach, bare but for low shrubs whose
kind they could not determine, although once Adan's coat caught on a
prickly surface. The atmosphere was warm and very dry.
Finally Roldan reined in.
"We must rest," he said, "and build a fire, or we shall be stiff to-
morrow. And it is long past the hour for supper."
"The sooner we eat and sleep and dry, the better for me," said Adan.
The boys dismounted and tied their horses to a palm, then looked about
for firewood. There was not a tree to be seen; they had not passed one
since they left the creek. Nor could they see any sign of flint with
which they might set fire to a clump of palms.
Adan, who had been on his knees, suddenly remarked: "There is not a
blade of grass, Roldan. What will the mustangs do?"
"They are eating the palm, perhaps that will do them until to-morrow.
But the poor things must be as hungry as twenty. Come, let us strip,
hang our things up, and run. The water is in my bones."
The boys peeled off the clinging steaming garments and ran up and down
until hunger sent them to the saddle bags.
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