"Now," said Mack, "we're in a condition to consider your proposition, Mr. Smith. Just where was you aiming for?" "I have a two or three weeks' vacation on my hands," replied Enoch, "and I'm pretty well knocked up with office work. I wanted to rest in the desert. I thought I could manage it alone, but it looks as if I were too green. I don't know why John Red Sun thought I could intrude on you folks, unless--" he hesitated. "John an old friend of yours?" asked Curly. "No, I met him on the trail. He was exceedingly kind and hospitable." Curly whistled softly. "You must have been in bad shape. John's not noted for kindness, or hospitality either." "I wasn't in bad shape at all!" protested Enoch. The two men, eying Enoch steadily, each suppressed a smile. "Field and I are on a kind of vacation too," said Mack. "I'm a superintendent of a zinc mine, and he's running the mill for me. We had to shut down for three months--bottom's dropped clean out of the price of zinc. We've been talking about prospecting for placer gold up on the Colorado, for ten years. Now we're giving her a try." He paused, and both men looked at Enoch expectantly. "In other words," said Enoch, refilling his pipe, "you two fellows are off for the kind of a trip you don't want an utter stranger in on. Well, I don't blame you." "Depends altogether on what kind of a chap the stranger is," suggested Curly. "I have no letters of recommendation." Enoch's smile was grim. "I'd do my share of the work, and pay for my board. I might not be the best of company, for I'm tired. Very tired." His massive head drooped as he spoke and his thin fine lips betrayed a pain and weariness that even the fitful light of the fire could not conceal. There was a silence for a moment, then a burro screamed, and Mackay got to his feet. "There's Mamie burro making trouble again. Come and help me catch her, Curly." Enoch sat quietly waiting while a low voiced colloquy that did not seem related to the obstreperous Mamie went on in the shadow beyond the rocks. Then the two men came back. "All right, Smith," said Mack. "We're willing to give it a try. A camping trip's like marriage, you know, terrible trying on the nerves. So if we don't get on together, it's understood you'll turn back, eh?" "Yes," Enoch nodded. "All right! We'll charge you a dollar and a half a day for yourself and your horse. We're to share and share alike in the work." "I'm exceedingly grateful!" exclaimed Enoch. "All right! We hope you'll get rested," said Curly. "And I advise you to begin now. Have you been sleeping well? How long have you been out?" "Three nights. I've slept rottenly." "I thought so. Let me show you how to scoop out sand so's to make a hollow for your hips and your shoulders, and I'll bet you'll sleep."