one felt inclined to pitch a tent, partly on account of extreme
fatigue, but chiefly because the ground was rough and stony and cacti
in endless variety strewed the surface, branching and clustering
about the petrified trunks of giant trees which gave the creek its
name.

There was no grass in the vicinity, and no grain on the train. The
animals when turned loose went to the pool and drank, and then
wandered about the wagons calling for forage. Lowing of cattle,
bleating of sheep, braying of mules, and whinnying of horses never
ceased as the suffering animals wandered in search of food. There was
no fuel for fires in the midst of this petrified forest of prostrate
trees, so hard bread and raw bacon made our supper.

After a time I began to wonder why Vic had not come to greet me. She
had accompanied Henry when he went back with my message, and I knew
that if he had returned she would have looked me up immediately. I was
about to search for her, when Frank appeared, and asked, "Have you
seen my brother?"

"No," I replied, "nor have I seen Vic. They must be with the rear
guard."

"No, sir; they are not there. I have just seen the sergeant of the
guard."

"Have you visited the Arnolds?"

"Yes, sir; and Miss Brenda says they have not seen him since he came
back from you."

"Is not Corporal Henry here?" asked Captain Bayard, who had approached
and overheard a part of our conversation.

"No, sir," I answered. "I sent him to you at Carizo to say we had
found no water."

"He reported to me," the captain replied, "and I sent him back at once
with orders for you to proceed to Lithodendron, as you have done."

"He did not reach me. I came here because it seemed the only thing to
do."

"Henry not here!" and the captain and all of us began moving towards
the train. "Cause an immediate search to be made for him. Examine
every wagon. He may have got into a wagon and fallen asleep."

It is needless to say, perhaps, that this search was participated in
by nearly every individual in the command not too tired to stir. Henry
was known to all, and had in many gentlemanly and kindly ways acquired
the respect and affection of soldiers and civilian employes.

Every wagon was examined, although from the first there was a general
presentiment that it would be useless. In the wagon assigned to the
use of the boy corporals and myself, Henry's carbine and revolver were
found, but Frank said his brother had not worn them during the