CHAPTER I.
At the end of a dry, uphill ride over barren country Jean Isbel unpacked to camp at the edge of the cedars where a little rocky canyon green with willow and cottonwood, promised water and grass.
His animals were tired, especially the pack mule that had carried a heavy load; and with slow heave of relief they knelt and rolled in the dust.

Jean experienced something of relief himself as he threw off his chaps.

He had not been used to hot, dusty, glaring days on the barren lands.

Stretching his long length beside a tiny rill of clear water that tinkled over the red stones, he drank thirstily.

The water was cool, but it had an acrid taste--an alkali bite that he did not like.
Not since he had left Oregon had he tasted clear, sweet, cold water; and he missed it just as he longed for the stately shady forests he had loved.