“Oh! we’ll promise you that, old fellow,” laughed Adrian; “but let’s be getting out of this blistering heat. I think it’s even worse after that sand storm. Over yonder we’ve got our camp, with poor old Bray waiting for us. He pulled through in good shape, because a mule is tougher than most horses. Come, jump up in your saddle again, and see how it feels to ride.” Billie had stepped over and secured Jupiter. The truant horse actually seemed glad to greet his stout master again, for he had given several snorts, and rubbed his velvety muzzle against Billie’s hand, as though apologizing for having deserted him so basely. But Billie was of a forgiving nature, and could not hold a grudge. He was moreover so delighted to see his mount again that he just forgot his grievance. It was with some difficulty, however, that he climbed into his saddle, for his limbs seemed more or less stiff after such a wakeful and uneasy night of it. Once mounted, and they started to gallop over the billowy surface of the desert, heading toward the nearby hills. Billie soon began to experience the old familiar sense of exhilaration as of yore. “This is what I call great!” he called out, as he urged Jupiter on after the flying steeds of his chums; “they say you never miss the water till the well runs dry; and I’m sure I never really appreciated what a joy it was to ride till I had to peg it afoot this same morning. But I’ve had a great experience all around, boys, and I’ve learned my lesson, yes, lots of ’em.” “Glad to hear it,” said Adrian, over his shoulder; “and what might one of the same be, Billie?” “Never to scorn small things, and to lick the platter clean,” responded the fat boy, promptly; “why, all morning long I’ve been haunted by remorse, I tell you. Seemed like I could see the ghost of every bit of food I’ve wasted for years rising right up to accuse me. You notice how different I’m agoing to live after this. No scraps going to waste from _my_ dish, let me tell you.” The others laughed heartily, and remarked that such noble sentiments did their author proud; also more to the effect that from that time forth they would expect to see Billie putting on additional weight, since, if he wasted nothing, his rations must increase in proportion. Presently they reached the border of the desert, and Billie gave a cheer as he found himself actually under the shelter of the trees, whose green branches he had seen when far out on the sandy waste. The tent was soon rounded up, with Bray tethered close by; and it seemed to Billy, whose heart was overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving, that the old pack mule’s salute was meant in honor of his coming back from the dead, as it were. “So this is the country where the Zuni village is located, is it?” Billie asked, later on, when they began to make ready to break camp, and start off once more, this time avoiding the desert, and sticking to the hills.