.

COTTONWOODS.
Venters appeared too deeply moved to speak the gratitude his face expressed.

And Jane turned upon the rescuer and gripped his hands.
Her smiles and tears seemingly dazed him.

Presently as something like calmness returned, she went to Lassiter's weary horse.
"I will water him myself," she said, and she led the horse to a trough under a huge old cottonwood.

With nimble fingers she loosened the bridle and removed the bit.