Both were
oppressed by the fear that at any minute they would come upon a solid
wall of cacti and be obliged to retrace their steps, and both knew that
might mean a stunning blow to courage. At times the constant zig-
zagging, the unalterable, smooth, grey-green surface of the cacti, made
them halt dizzily, for both brain and body were sick for want of food.
But by degrees the wood grew thinner and thinner; and when the sun was
half way between the zenith and the western horizon, they left behind
the last straggling outpost and found themselves on the edge of a creek,
the same doubtless that they had crossed three nights before. They gave
each other a feeble simultaneous slap on the back, gathered their
energies, ran down the bank, and took a long draught of the running
water.
"I feel better," said Roldan, finally, "but hungrier than ever. There
are quail in that chaparral over there. I'll go after them, and do you
hunt for flint and build a fire."
He crossed the creek and entered the brush beyond. Almost simultaneously
there was a loud whirr of wings, and a large flock of quail rose from
the chaparral a few feet ahead of him.
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