PROLOGUE I A FACE haunted -- 's face .
It was there in the white heart of the dying campfire ; it hung in the shadows that hovered over the flickering light ; it drifted in the darkness beyond .
This hour , when the day had closed and the lonely night set in with its dead silence , was one in which 's mind was thronged with memories of a time long past -- of , of .
was , , , because wanted to be alone to remember .
A sound disturbed 's reflections .
bent head listening .
A soft wind fanned the paling embers , blew sparks and white ashes and thin smoke away into the enshrouding circle of blackness .
burro did not appear to be moving about .
The quiet split to the cry of a coyote .
It rose strange , wild , mournful -- not the howl of a prowling upland beast baying the campfire or barking at , but the wail of a wolf , full-voiced , crying out the meaning of the and the night .
Hunger throbbed in it -- hunger for a mate , for offspring , for life .
When it ceased , the terrible silence smote , and the cry echoed in soul .
and that wandering wolf were brothers .
Then a sharp clink of metal on stone and soft pads of hoofs in sand prompted to reach for gun , and to move out of the light of the waning campfire .
was somewhere along the wild border line between and ; and risked other dangers sometimes as menacing .
Figures darker than the gloom approached and took shape , and in the light turned out to be those of and a heavily packed burro .
" Hello there , " called , as came to a halt and gazed about .
" saw fire .
May make camp here ? "
came forth out of the shadow and greeted .
resented the breaking of lonely campfire vigil , but respected the law of .
thanked , and then slipped the pack from burro .
Then rolled out pack and began preparations for a meal .
movements were slow and methodical .
watched , still with resentment , yet with a curious and growing interest .
The campfire burst into a bright blaze , and by its light saw .
" Find any mineral ? " asked , presently .
looked up quickly , as if startled by the sound of a human voice .
replied , and then talked a little .
But evidently preferred silence .
understood that .
laughed grimly and bent a keener gaze upon the furrowed , shadowy face .
!
felt that between and there was a subtle affinity , vague and undefined , perhaps born of the divination that here was , perhaps born of a deeper , an unintelligible relation having its roots back in the past .
A long-forgotten sensation stirred in 's breast , one so long forgotten that could not recognize it .
But it was akin to pain .
II When awakened found , to surprise , that had departed .
A trail in the sand led off to the north .
There was no water in that direction .
shrugged shoulders ; it was not affair ; had own problems .
And straightway forgot .
began day , grateful for the solitude that was now unbroken , for the canyon-furrowed and cactus-spired scene that now showed no sign of life .
traveled southwest , never straying far from ; and in a desultory way , without eagerness , hunted for signs of gold .
The work was toilsome , yet the periods of rest in which indulged were not taken because of fatigue .
rested to look , to listen , to feel .
What meant to had always been a mystical thing , which felt in all its incalculable power , but never understood .
That day , while it was yet light , and was digging in a moist white-bordered wash for water , was brought sharply up by hearing the crack of hard hoofs on stone .
There down came and a burro .
recognized them .
" Hello , , " called , halting .
" trails crossed again .
That 's good . "
" Hello , " replied , slowly .
" Any mineral sign to-day ? "
" No . "
made camp together , ate frugal meal , smoked a pipe , and rolled in blankets without exchanging many words .
In the morning the same reticence , the same aloofness characterized the manner of both .
But , when had packed burro and was ready to start , faced about and said : " might stay together , if it 's all right with . "
" never take , " replied .
" 're alone ; 'm alone , " said , mildly .
" It 's a big place .
If find gold there 'll be enough for two . "
" do n't go down into for gold alone , " rejoined , with a chill note in swift reply .
's deep-set , luminous eyes emitted a singular flash .
It moved to say that in the years of wandering had met .
waved a hand toward the wide , shimmering , shadowy descent of and .
" may strike through .
may head for or north for .
are . "
" do n't know , but to one place is the same as another , " replied .
For moments seemed to forget , and swept far-reaching gaze out over .
Then with gentle slaps drove burro in behind .
" Yes , 'm old .
'm lonely , too .
It 's come to just lately .
But , , can still travel , and for a few days company wo n't hurt . "
" Have it way , " said .
began a slow march down into .
At sunset camped under the lee of .
was glad had the Indian habit of silence .
Another day 's travel found deep in .
Then there came a breaking of reserve , noticeable in , almost imperceptibly gradual in .
Beside the meager mesquite campfire would remove black pipe from mouth to talk a little ; and would listen , and sometimes unlock lips to speak a word .
And so , as began to respond to the influence of , began to take keener note of , and found different from .
never grumbled at the heat , the glare , the driving sand , the sour water , the scant fare .
During the daylight hours was seldom idle .
At night sat dreaming before the fire or paced to and fro in the gloom .
slept but little , and that long after had had own rest .
was tireless , patient , brooding .
's awakened interest brought home to the realization that for years had shunned companionship .
In those years had wandered into with , and these had left bones to bleach in .
had not cared to know secrets .
But the more studied the more began to suspect that might have missed something in .
In own driving passion to take secret into the limitless abode of silence and desolation , where could be alone with it , had forgotten that life dealt shocks to .
Somehow reminded .
One afternoon late , after had toiled up , came upon .
dug deep into , but without avail .
was turning to retrace weary steps back to when asked to wait .
watched search in pack and bring forth what appeared to be a small , forked branch of a peach tree .
grasped the prongs of the fork and held them before with the end standing straight out , and then began to walk along .
, at first amused , then amazed , then pitying , and at last curious , kept pace with .
saw a strong tension of 's wrists , as if was holding hard against a considerable force .
The end of the peach branch began to quiver and turn .
reached out a hand to touch it , and was astounded at feeling a powerful vibrant force pulling the branch downward .
felt it as a magnetic shock .
The branch kept turning , and at length pointed to .
" Dig , " said .
" What ! " ejaculated .
Had lost mind ?
Then stood by while dug in .
Three feet dug -- four -- five , and the sand grew dark , then moist .
At six feet water began to seep through .
" Get the little basket in pack , " said .
complied , and saw drop the basket into , where it kept the sides from caving in and allowed the water to seep through .
While watched , the basket filled .
Of all the strange incidents of career this was the strangest .
Curiously picked up the peach branch and held it as had seen it held .
The thing , however , was dead in hands .