Anything seemed
better than this interminable flight.
They were cheered a little by the aspect of the country, which began to
change considerably for the better. The cactus reappeared and then a few
trees, lonesome and ragged, but trees, nevertheless. It is wonderful how
much humanity a tree has in a sad and sandy land. The soil grew much
firmer and soon they saw clumps of buffalo grass. Several small groups
of buffalo were also visible.
"There's better country ahead, as you see," said Obed. "Besides, I've
been along this way before. We'll strike water by dark."
They reached a tiny brook just as the twilight came, at which both they
and their horses drank. They also took the time to wash their hands and
faces, but they dared not delay any longer for fear of being overtaken
by the Lipans. The night and the following day passed in the same manner
as the others, and the horses of Ned and Obed, splendid animals though
they were, began to show signs of fatigue. One limped a little. The
dreaded was happening. The Indian ponies made only of bone and muscle
were riding them down.
On the other hand, the character of the country now encouraged the
fugitives. The yucca and the mesquite turned into oak. They passed
through large groves and they hoped that they might soon enter a great
forest in which they could hide their trail wholly from the Lipans.
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