ACROSS THE DESERT 93 



lakes and green fields when I've been travel- 

 ing through this country and my horses have 

 been plumb tired out and their tongues hang- 

 ing from thirst, and I've rode and rode for 

 'em, but never reached 'em. This is hell and 

 that's just one of the devil's ways of tantalizing 

 folks that are fools enough to come here. 

 There's nothing but sage brush and greasewood 

 and sand out there where we see water and 

 grass. The ledge of rocks is there all right, 

 though, and I was counting on stopping by 'em 

 for dinner. There's some shade under 'em. 

 I've nooned under 'em before." 



And he was right. It was a mirage, the most 

 tantalizing mirage that can possibly appear to 

 one in this parched land. We halted under the 

 friendly rocks to feed the horses rolled barley 

 and to eat our own luncheon beneath the shade 

 of a great overhanging boulder and in an hour 

 were on our way again, to see more lakes and 

 more green fields which we never reached. 



The nights always bring blessed relief from 

 the burning heat of day. With sunset the heat 

 waves give place to an atmosphere balmy and 

 deliciously cool, and when bedtime comes 

 warm blankets are not a burden. 



And what sunsets! What blendings of color! 

 Not the glorious reds and highly brilliant col- 



