lephone."

Two other cowboys joined Curt.

"The rest of you might follow us and get back as far as the ranch. Maybe
there'll be a little drinking water left in that well," advised Curt as
he started up the trail, hobbling painfully on his twisted boots.

Helen looked at her oxfords. They were in even worse shape than Curt's
boots.

"I guess I'll have to stay here," she said, half to herself and half to
Janet. "I'd never make it back to the ranch."

Janet picked up the water soaked piece of cloth she had used as a mask
to shield her face.

"Wrap this around one foot and use your piece for your other foot. Then
slip your oxford on loosely. That ought to ease the pain."

Helen looked grateful and tried the suggestion at once. She wrapped the
damp cloth around as tightly as possible and then pulled on her shoes.
It was a snug fit, but there was a soft cushion for her bruised feet to
rest upon. She stood up and tried walking.

"That's much better. Thanks a lot, Janet."

Billy Fenstow took charge then.

"We'll start for the ranch and go as far as we can," he decided. "There
may be some shelter there and we're in no condition to stay out any
longer than necessary."

With the director in the van, the singed and tired band started back for
the ranch. After a short distance they struck the trail. It was faint,
but they managed to follow it without too much difficulty.

Hot blasts of air seemed to sweep down from all sides and breathing
became a painful exercise again. Janet wished that she might have just
one cool, sweet breath of air--just one.

Helen stumbled and Janet reached out and caught her companion before she
fell.

"All right?" asked Janet anxiously, for Helen was not of as sturdy stock
as she.

"I'll make it," replied Helen, the words coming from tight-set lips.

But Janet was not so sure that Helen could do it. They fell further and
further behind the others, but at last they topped the final ridge and
looked down in the valley where the ranch had been, where they had
filmed so many scenes of "Water Hole," the new picture.

It was too dark to see the outlines of the ranchhouse but Janet could
discern several large, glowing piles of embers and she knew that even
the buildings at the ranch had been destroyed by the fire. Perhaps the
well was still filled with pure sweet water. Her throat seemed drier at
the thought and she turned her full attention to Helen, who needed a
supporting arm for the fina