reach, was a prairie, covered with a sparse growth of
grass. Small circular islands of palmetto scrub dotted the monotonous
scene and at rare intervals a clump of somber cypress told of the
presence of water. In a nearby bunch of palmetto a pair of horns were
visible; and a herd of wild cattle, incredibly thin and fleet, leaped
with a snort into the open, stared an instant at the intruders and
sprang out of sight with the speed of deer. A covey of small, brown
quail broke close at hand and sailed away, skimming the top of the
grass. Fox squirrels were to be seen through the hanging moss on the
cypress trees. A great whooping crane waded into view and flapped away
in clumsy fashion. A flock of teal duck, flying swift and true as an
arrow, came winging their way to the river. At the water hole where
the crane had been feeding the yellow eyes of a wildcat, cheated of its
prey, shone for a flash and withdrew. By use of his field glasses
Payne saw a mother turkey, low-crouched and stepping softly, leading
her brood to shelter in the scrub. Farther away the glasses picked out
the antlers and head of a small deer, peering above the brush.

Higgins had kicked a hole in the ground with professional interest.

"Sand! No good."

"Right. Come on."

The river frontage of the prairie was a scant mile. Its eastern
boundary consisted of a growth of custard apple. The small spreading
trees, fifteen feet at the topmost branches, were literally hidden
beneath a covering of the delicate moon vine. The vine wreathed itself
about the trunks and branches. It covered the tops, it stretched over
open spaces like closely woven tapestry; draped itself over everything,
its small green leaves and tiny pink-white flowers inextricably matted
together with the tree growth and making of the whole a delicate bloom.

A broad riding path had been cut through the tangle along the river out
to the open prairie. From the entrance a glimpse was had of a magic
interior. The sunlight struck fiercely down through the interstices in
the all-pervading moon vine, piercing the jungle shade with a myriad of
hard points of light. The path wound in and out, its course easy to
follow by the shaft of light in the gloom.

Inside, the atmosphere was that of a great conservatory. A dozen
tropical growths mingled their odors into an indefinable whole; and the
effect was akin to that of a subtle exotic drug, lulling the senses,
filling the whole bein