And only a handful of explorers, you told me,
ever have completed the trip down the Colorado. I would like to try it.
"Diana, you look at me with your gentle, faithful eyes, the corners of
your lips a little uncertain as if you want to tell me that I am
disappointing you and yet, because you are so gentle, you did not want
to hurt me. Diana, don't be troubled about me. I shall go back, long
enough at least to discharge my pressing duties. After that, who knows
or cares! Oh, Diana! Diana! What is the use? There is nothing left
in my life. I am empty--empty!
"Even all this is make believe, for, as soon as you saw that I was
beginning to care for you,--beginning is a good word here!--you went
away.
"Good-by, Diana."
Enoch's gun made no contribution to the larder that night. Curly
uttered loud and bitter comment on the fact.
"You're getting spoiled by high living," said Enoch severely. "What
would you have done if I hadn't come along and taken pity on you? Why,
you and Mack would have starved to death here in the Canyon, for it's
morally certain neither of you would have stopped panning gold long
enough to prepare your food."
"Right you are, Judge," replied Curly meekly. "I'm going to try to get
Mack to rebate two bits a day on your board, as a token of our
appreciation.
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