TO SAN FELIPE CITY 269 



turned back. I left the jack tied in the brush, be- 

 cause I had to find my back tracks and I could n't 

 do that unless I walked and sort of felt my way. It 

 was n't what you 'd call a trail, more like a jack- 

 rabbit run. I could n't eat because I was too dry to 

 swallow without drinking, and I did n't dare to 

 drink. It was August, long days and hotter 'n blazes. 

 I durs n't use up that mite of water, so I 'd take a 

 mouthful, and hold it, and then spit it back in the 

 canteen. 



" It was the dark of the moon, but I had to travel, 

 and I kept moving all night. I used up all my 

 matches, looking for my tracks. When it got day- 

 light my water was all used up. I was in bad shape, 

 faint and awful thirsty, and I had n't made more 

 than half the way back to the Springs. When it got 

 hot I would travel say two hundred yards and then 

 lie down in the shade of a rock or bit of brush. 

 Gosh ! I don't know how I kept going, except I knew 

 I had to keep on or I 'd die right there. 



"When it came night again I took off my clothes, 

 all except shoes, and carried them. It was a hot 

 night, but the wind felt good on my skin. I don't 

 know how I stayed in the trail; luck, I guess: and 

 the only way I kept going was because I had to get 

 to Cottonwood that night; I knew I'd never live 

 through another day like I 'd just put in. It was three 

 in the morning when I got to Cottonwood. I went 

 right to the water-trough and put my head in. I had 

 sense enough left not to drink any at first. The boys 

 were there, and they gave me some weak whiskey 

 and then some coffee and other grub. I slept all that 



