Then you ought to make the river to-morrow night." It was obvious that he desired to be rid of them; and as it was getting cooler George resumed his journey.

He found the creek early the next morning, and as the day promised to be unusually hot he delayed only until he had watered the stock.

In an hour or two the sun was hidden by banks of leaden cloud, but the temperature did not fall and there was an oppressive heaviness in the air.

The prairie had faded to a sweep of lifeless gray, obscured above its verge.

The men made progress, however; and late in the afternoon a winding line of timber that marked the river's course appeared ahead.