The avalanche, waving like swells ofthe sea, seemed
slowing its motion. Onlya hundred yards now separated the men.
Some prospector was packing water from the creek up
the canyonand down into that amphitheatre.
The water looked like vinegar, and it was hot and
had abad taste.
Into the heaving of every one went his intent to
kill. The gale seemed howling with rage atthe truth here, still hidden from Adams
eyes. It reminded him that Dismukes had said the floor of Death Valleywas Forty feet
from hell!
The avalanche, waving like swells ofthe sea, seemed
slowing its motion.
The burros ran, with bobbing packs, straight to the
water they hadscented.
He lost his direction and clung to the burros,
knowingtheir instinct to be surer guide than his. And the very instant he resigned
himself, a cry pierced his dull ear. CHAPTER XXAdams return to camp was as vague as
one of his desert nightmares. The giant Dismukes looked, then heaved erect withhead
poised like that of a hawk.
The breast of this giant was covered with
grizzledhair. The otherfellow charged him, only to be knocked back.
It took effort of will to attend to any action. But
forthe burros he would have plunged in a circle. At length the ashen level plain
changed its hue and its surface.
He lost his direction and clung to the burros,
knowingtheir instinct to be surer guide than his.
This Furnace Creek ran down out of a deep-mouthed
canyon, with yellowwalls of gravel. They leaped so swiftly upon him and were soheavy
bodied, that they bore him to the ground.