CHAPTER II.
But Ellen Jorth's moccasined feet did not leave a distinguishable trail on the springy pine needle covering of the ground, and Jean could not find any trace of her.
A little futile searching to and fro cooled his impulse and called pride to his rescue.

Returning to his horse, he mounted, rode out behind the pack mule to start it along, and soon felt the relief of decision and action.

Clumps of small pines grew thickly in spots on the Rim, making it necessary for him to skirt them; at which times he lost sight of the purple basin.

Every time he came back to an opening through which he could see the wild ruggedness and colors and distances, his appreciation of their nature grew on him.

Arizona from Yuma to the Little Colorado had been to him an endless waste of wind-scoured, sun-blasted barrenness.