But Ned did not remain on the tumulus more than a few minutes longer.
When he sprang down the dogs growled, but he shook the machete until it
glittered in the moonlight. With howls of terror they fled, while he
resumed his journey in the other direction.
Near morning he came into country which seemed to him very wild. The
soil was hard and dry, but there was a dense growth of giant cactus,
with patches here and there of thorny bushes. Guarding well against the
spikes and thorns he crept into one of the thickets and lay down. He
must rest and sleep and already the touch of rose in the east was
heralding the dawn. Sleep by day and flight by night. He was satisfied
with himself. He had really succeeded better so far than he had hoped,
and, guarded by the spikes and thorns, slumber took him before dawn had
spread from east to west.
CHAPTER IV
THE PALM
Ned awoke about noon. The morning had been cold, but having been wrapped
very thoroughly in the great serape, he had remained snug and warm all
through his long sleep. He rose very cautiously, lest the spikes and
thorns should get him, and then went to a comparatively open place among
the giant cactus stems whence he could see over the hills and valleys.
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