ifle in good shape till we call for it.
So long, my son. It's time for you to be hoofin' it, if you count on
gettin' to Antelope Spring this side of to-morrow mornin'."

As he spoke, Parsons mounted his pony, Robinson following the example;
and in another moment the two were on their way once more, leaving
Dick in a painful state of uncertainty regarding their purpose in
purchasing the gun.

During two or three minutes the boy stood where they had left him, and
then cried,--

"Hello there! Hold on a minute, will you?"

"What's the matter now?" and Parsons looked over his shoulder, but
neither he nor his partner reined in their steeds.

"Are you buyin' this rifle? or are you makin' believe so's to give me
the ten dollars?"

"S'posen we was makin' believe?"

"Why then I wouldn't take the money, 'cause I ain't out begging."

"Don't fret yourself, my son. We've bought the gun all right; an' the
next time we meet, you can hand it over. I wish our pile had been bigger
so's we could have given twenty, 'cause a kid like you deserves it."

The horsemen continued on, and by this time were so far away that Dick
would have been unwise had he attempted to overtake them.

He stood irresolutely an instant as if doubtful of the genuineness of
this alleged business transaction.

It was as if the men feared he might attempt to overtake them; for
despite the heavy loads on the burros they urged the beasts forward at
their best pace, and Dick was still revolving the matter in his mind
when they were a mile or more away.

"Well, it's no use for me to stand here tryin' to figure out whether
they've given me this money or really mean to buy the rifle, for I've
got to strike Antelope Spring between this time an' midnight. Now that
there are ten dollars in my pocket, I'll be a pretty poor stick if I
don't do it; but the sand-storm came mighty near windin' me up. It was
the toughest thing I ever saw."

Then Dick set forward once more, toiling over the loose surface into
which his feet sank three or four inches at every step; and when he
finally stood on the firm soil east of this waste of shifting sand, it
was two hours past noon.

As he had reckoned, there were more than thirty miles yet to be
traversed; but the distance troubled him little.

He had in his possession that which would buy such knowledge and such
drugs as his father might need, and he believed it would be almost a
sin to rebel even in his thoughts against the l