Away from all trails, where not even widely roving cattlemen would penetrate, in midst of a desert avoided by Indians because of lack of game,--a man might hide here year after year without danger of discovery.

Yet such a one would not be likely to welcome their coming, and they were without arms.

But Keith was not a man to hesitate long because of possible danger, and he stepped down into the shallow water.
"Come on, Neb," he commanded, "and we 'll find out who lives here." The window faced the west, and he came up the low bank to where the door fronted the north in intense darkness.

Under the shadow of the cottonwoods he could see nothing, groping his way, with hands extended.
His foot struck a flat stone, and he plunged forward, striking the unlatched door so heavily as to swing it open, and fell partially forward into the room.

As he struggled to his knees, Neb's black face peering past him into the lighted interior, he seemed to perceive in one swift, comprehensive glance, every revealed detail.