In another second
she and Mercedes were clasped in each other's arms. Then followed
a time of joyful greetings all round.
The Yaqui stood leaning against a tree watching the welcoming home
of the lost. No one seemed to think of him, until Belding, ever
mindful of the needs of horses, put a hand on Blanco Diablo and
called to Yaqui to bring the others. They led the string of whites
down to the barn, freed them of wet and dusty saddles and packs,
and turned them loose in the alfalfa, now breast-high. Diablo
found his old spirit; Blanco Sol tossed his head and whistled
his satisfaction; White Woman pranced to and fro; and presently
they all settled down to quiet grazing. How good it was for
Belding to see those white shapes against the rich background
of green! His eyes glistened. It was a sight he had never expected
to see again. He lingered there many moments when he wanted to
hurry back to his rangers.
At last he tore himself away from watching Blanco Diablo and
returned to the house. It was only to find that he might have
spared himself the hurry. Jim and Ladd were lying on the beds
that had not held them for so many months. Their slumber seemed
as deep and quiet as death. Curiously Belding gazed down upon them.
They had removed only boots and chaps. Their clothes were in
tatters. Jim appeared little more than skin and bones, a long
shape, dark and hard as iron. Ladd's appearance shocked Belding.
The ranger looked an old man, blasted, shriveled, starved.
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