lowed myself to fall easily backwards until my 

 body was almost horizontal, and then face up- 

 wards I threw myself off the boulder with all 

 my strength. The rock gave a great plunge, 

 and went bounding down the slope, sending the 

 smaller stuff flying before at each contact with 

 the earth. 



Though completely relaxed, and with the 

 snowshoes on my back acting as a buffer, the 

 landing was something of a jolt. For a few sec- 

 onds I lay limp and spread out, and drifted 

 slowly along with the slow-sliding mass of 

 macadam. When this came to rest, I rose up 

 and with the greatest concern for my founda- 

 tion, made my way upwards, and at last lay 

 down to breathe and rest upon the solid granite 

 shoulder of Sierra Blanca. 



In ten hours the midnight train would be due 

 in Fort Garland, and as the way was all down- 

 grade, I hoped that my strength would hold 

 out till I caught it. But, turning my eyes from 

 the descent to the summit, I forgot the world 

 below, and also my poison-weakened body. 

 Suddenly I felt and knew only the charm and 



"5 



