ut it was necessary for the
fugitives to remain close to water.

What Prince hoped to find was some sort of cave or overhanging ledge of
shale under which they could lie hidden until Jim's strength returned
sufficiently to permit of travel. The problem would be at best a
difficult one. They had little food, scarce dared light a fire, and
Clanton was in no condition to stand exposure in case the weather grew
bad. Even if the boy weathered the sickness, it would not be possible for
him to walk hundreds of miles in his weakened condition. But this was a
matter which did not press for an answer. Billie intended to cross no
bridges until he came to them. Just now he must focus his mind on keeping
the wounded man alive and out of the hands of his enemies.

Beyond a bend he came upon a jutting bank that for lack of better might
serve his purpose. He could scoop out a cave in which his partner might
lie protected from the hot midday sun. If he filled the mouth with tumble
weeds during the day they might escape observation for a time.

When the Texan returned to his friend, he found him in restless slumber.
He tossed to and fro, muttering snatches of incoherent talk. The wound
seemed to pain him even in his sleep, for he moved impatiently as though
trying to throw off some weight lying heavy upon it.

But when he awoke his mind was apparently clear. He met Billie's anxious
look with a faint, white-lipped smile. To his friend the young fellow had
the signs of a very sick man. It was a debatable question whether to risk
moving him now or take the almost hopeless chance of escaping detection
where they were.

Prince put the decision on Jim himself. The answer came feebly, but
promptly.

"Sure, move me. What's one little--bullet in the shoulder, Billie? Gimme
some sleep--an' I'll be up an' kickin'."

Yet the older man noticed that his white lips could scarcely find
strength to make the indomitable boast.

Very gently Billie lifted the wounded man and put him on the back of the
cowpony. He held him there and guided the animal through the sand to
the bend. Clanton hung on with clenched teeth, calling on the last ounce
of power in his exhausted body with his strong will.

"Just a hundred yards more," urged the walking man as they rounded the
bend. "We're 'most there now."

He lifted the slack body down and put it in the sand. The hands of the
boy were ice cold. The sap of life was low in him. Prince covered him
with the bla