His horses drank thirstily.

And he drank with that fullness and gratefulness common to the desert traveler finding sweet water.

Then he mounted and rode down the valley wondering what would be his reception.
The valley was much larger than it had appeared from the high elevation.
Well watered, green with grass and tree, and farmed evidently by good hands, it gave Duane a considerable surprise.

Horses and cattle were everywhere.

Every clump of cottonwoods surrounded a small adobe house.
Duane saw Mexicans working in the fields and horsemen going to and fro.