could be heard,
loud-voiced and excited. Slone drew nearer, and the nearer he got the
swifter he strode. Instinct told him that he was making the right move.
He would face this man whom he was accused of ruining. The poor
mustangs hung their heads dejectedly.

"Bags of bones," some rider loudly said.

And then Slone drew dose to the excited group. Brackton held the
center; he was gesticulating; his thin voice rose piercingly.

"Creech! Whar's Peg an' the Roan? Gawd Almighty, man! You ain't meanin'
them cayuses thar are all you've got left of thet grand bunch of
hosses?"

There was scarcely a sound. All the riders were still. Slone fastened
his eyes on Creech. He saw a gaunt, haggard face almost black with
dust--worn and sad--with big eyes of terrible gloom. He saw an unkempt,
ragged form that had been wet and muddy, and was now dust-caked.

Creech stood silent in a dignity of despair that wrung Slone's heart.
His silence was an answer. It was Joel Creech who broke the suspense.

"Didn't I tell you-all what'd happen?" he shrilled. "PARCHED AN'
STARVED!"

"Aw no!" chorused the riders.

Brackton shook all over. Tears dimmed his eyes--tears that he had no
shame for. "So help me Gawd--I'm sorry!" was his broken exclamation.

Slone had forgotten himself and possible revelation concerning him. But
when Holley appeared close to him with a significant warning look,
Slone grew keen once more on his own account. He felt a hot flame
inside him--a deep and burning anger at the man who might have saved
Creech's horses. And he, like Brackton, felt sorrow for Creech, and a
rider's sense of loss, of pain. These horses--these dumb
brutes--faithful and sometimes devoted, had to suffer an agonizing
death because of the selfishness of men.

"I reckon we'd all like to hear what come off, Creech, if you don't
feel too bad to tell us," said Brackton.

"Gimme a drink," replied Creech.

"Wal, d--n my old head!" exclaimed Brackton. "I'm gittin' old. Come on
in. All of you! We're glad to see Creech home."

The riders filed in after Brackton and the Creeches. Holley stayed
close beside Slone, both of them in the background.

"I heerd the flood comin' thet night," said Creech to his silent and
tense-faced listeners. "I heerd it miles up the canyon. 'Peared a
bigger roar than any flood before. As it happened, I was alone, an' it
took time to git the hosses up. If there'd been an Indian with me--or
even Joel--mebbe--" His voice quave