Roger's smile was a little twisted. "Nice thing to remember of me. Where is your tact, woman!" "Mercy! You aren't sensitive about it after all these years? I thought it funny that your baby temper and the pool were all I could rake up out of our past." "Where is Felicia?" asked Roger, abruptly. "She went up to the spring to fill my little canteen with water." "Thank heaven," said Roger, "that she can't rake up my past. I'm going to stroll up to meet her." And he doffed his hat and was off, feeling that somehow he had not made great headway. CHAPTER V VON MINDEN That evening, after the little fire had burned to a bed of coals, Ernest said: "About time for the stuff to have come from St. Louis." "I've been thinking of that," returned Roger. "And we've nearly run through the Prebles' extra supplies. Why don't you go in to Archer's Springs and bring a load out. Dick is planning to go day after to-morrow." "Wouldn't you rather go?" asked Ernest. "Not if I can help it." "Thank heaven!" exclaimed Ernest. "I was afraid you'd want the job, and even Archer's Springs would look good to me!" Roger laughed and slapped Ernest on the shoulder. "You homesick Dutchman! Crazy for the mail, aren't you? There must be something there from Austin. I'm glad you want to go, for I'd hate the trip. Let's turn in!" Wednesday morning, just at dawn, Dick and Ernest, each driving a team, pulled up before the cook tent where Roger and Qui-tha were finishing breakfast. "Charley says you're to come up there for supper to-night," called Dick. "Felicia has permission to come down to fetch you at five o'clock." "All right," returned Roger. "When do you expect to be back, Dick?" "All depends on luck. Perhaps not before Friday noon." "Take care of Ernest," called Roger as the two teams started on. "He's flighty!" "Don't get drowned in that fine well of yours, Rog!" shouted Ernest. Roger lighted his pipe and helped Qui-tha clean the plates and cups with sand and old newspaper. "Don't know how we'll do dishes when the newspapers give out, Qui-tha," he said. "Keep burro. He clean 'em," suggested Qui-tha, with a mischievous grin. "Wah! Go way! We're not Hualapais like you," retorted Roger. Qui-tha laughed, and followed Roger to the well. The chill of the early March morning was beginning to lift.