Shefford discovered, however, when he had walked off a mile or so across the valley to lose sight of the post, that the feeling of wildness and loneliness returned to him. It was a wonderful country. It held something for him besides the possible rescue of an imprisoned girl from a wild cañon. . . . . . . . . . . . That night after supper, when Withers and Shefford sat alone before the blazing logs in the huge fireplace, the trader laid his hand on Shefford's and said, with directness and force: “I've lived my life in the desert. I've met many men and have been a friend to most.... You're no prospector or trader or missionary?” “No,” replied Shefford. “You've had trouble?” “Yes.” “Have you come in here to hide? Don't be afraid to tell me. I won't give you away.” “I didn't come to hide.” “Then no one is after you? You've done no wrong?” “Perhaps I wronged myself, but no one else,” replied Shefford, steadily. “I reckoned so. Well, tell me, or keep your secret--it's all one to me.” Shefford felt a desire to unburden himself. This man was strong, persuasive, kindly. He drew Shefford. “You're welcome in Kayenta,” went on Withers. “Stay as long as you like. I take no pay from a white man. If you want work I have it aplenty.” “Thank you. That is good. I need to work. We'll talk of it later. ... But just yet I can't tell you why I came to Kayenta, what I want to do, how long I shall stay. My thoughts put in words would seem so like dreams. Maybe they are dreams. Perhaps I'm only chasing a phantom--perhaps I'm only hunting the treasure at the foot of the rainbow.” “Well, this is the country for rainbows,” laughed Withers. “In summer from June to August when it storms we have rainbows that'll make you think you're in another world. The Navajos have rainbow mountains, rainbow canyons, rainbow bridges of stone, rainbow trails. It sure is rainbow country.” That deep and mystic chord in Shefford thrilled. Here it was again--something tangible at the bottom of his dream. Withers did not wait for Shefford to say any more, and almost as if he read his visitor's mind he began to talk about the wild country he called home.