Maxey 205 



two men, but their resolute patience was almost pet- 

 ulance compared with the uncomplaining endurance 

 of Maxey. With but an occasional mouthful of 

 food ; with hunger making each bone daily more 

 visible ; with all the exertion of keeping the trail and 

 carrying the light load of provisions, there was not 

 the slightest sign of discontent or of yielding to their 

 misfortunes. One might almost suppose such appar- 

 ent fortitude was stupidity ; but it was not. Neither 

 was it stoicism. It was the same quality that we 

 see so seldom among men, and admire so greatly 

 when it is found. It was courage, patience, and 

 endurance qualities none the less noble and heroic 

 when possessed in such high degree by a simple- 

 minded mountain burro. 



The last two days of their journey they were 

 absolutely without food ; and they certainly could not 

 have endured it had they not known by the landmarks 

 that their destination was not far off. When they 

 reached it, the reaction from the strain threw Herbert 

 into a fever, and for several days he was unconscious. 

 His first care on reaching the hotel had been to see 

 that Maxey was provided for ; but had he failed to 



