But Elbert saw a reddish flare in Cal’s eyes, usually so icy gray and cool. Something queer was taking place in himself at the same time, a wild hope--the last chance on earth. But he couldn’t miss that he was forgotten now, the pair more and more involved in each other as the tension grew. ‘You’ll admit we’re dyin’ off here,’ said Slim. ‘Not so loud; hush yourself,’ said Cal. ‘We ain’t got no grudge against Heaslep’s. We don’t want to start a stampede of hands just as round-up’s comin’ on.’ ‘That’s so,’ Slim muttered. Elbert suddenly found the eyes of both men boring into his. ‘You won’t tell ’em anything about this, will you? We ain’t got nothin’ against old Frost-face,’ said Slim. ‘I shore would hate to see this outfit left short-handed through any abrupt transformations takin’ place between me and Slim,’ added Cal. ‘I won’t say anything,’ Elbert declared, but the sound of his own voice was strange and unsteady. A moment later he strolled off into the dark. He didn’t trust his face or his feelings which to himself, at least, were conveying meanings louder than words. In a moment or two, Cal’s easy tones reached him. ‘Elbert!’ He went back. ‘Anything eatin’ you?’ ‘No--’ ‘You ain’t figurin’--’ ‘No, I won’t tell Frost-face, or any of the fellows--’ Cal chuckled: ‘It ain’t that. Slim and me sort of forgot ourselves. Bein’ married a long time, it works that way. Can’t be you’re honin’ to perforate the Border like Slim?’ ‘Wouldn’t I slow you up?’ ‘We thought of that, but concluded we could do with a balancer--’ ‘I think it would be fine--’ ‘It’ll be a blow to Frost-face, if we do break out. Speak Mexican?’ ‘I’ve been studying it lately a little. I had some Latin which helps--’ ‘Lord, does Latin run in your family, Elbert?’ ‘I speak Mexican,’ Slim reminded, in the tone of one wronged. Cal squinted at the fire. ‘Sure, I forgot. Slim eats her.’ Elbert looked up at the stars. They had suddenly blazed out friendly, and over the cattle came a warm wind and folded him in. ‘Excuse me,’ Cal added. ‘I’ve got some very close work to do right now--threadin’ a needle to tack my war-sack together.’ IX INITIATION THEY crossed the Border at Nogales, Cal riding old Chester, Slim on his ‘Indian’ and Elbert astride. ‘Yes, Elbert,’ said Cal that first afternoon in Mexico, ‘she’s shore an indulgence for the eyes.’ A few minutes before sundown they entered the small pueblo of Cienaga. Six hours in the saddle; Elbert was tired, athirst; the early May sunlight had been burning, but except for the occasional oppressive doubt as to his power to carry on without his two friends finding out his real mission, and the fear that his tenderfoot ways might slow up their adventuring, Elbert was possessed by an extraordinary elation; as if part of his lungs that had never known air before, had quietly opened, alive at last.