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Updated: June 15, 2025
The world seemed very huge, to Enoch; the three of them, toiling so carefully over the yellow plateau, very small and insignificant. He did not talk much during the rest intervals. He would light his pipe and smoke as if in physical contentment, but his deep blue eyes were burning and somber as they rested on the vast emptiness about them. Na-che always dozed during the stops.
Come, Na-che, we'll bring the men's bags up and go out to our tent while they shift." The two women were gone before the men could protest. They were back with the bags in a few moments and in almost less time than it takes to tell, the crew of the Ida was reclothed, Enoch in the riding suit that Jonas had left with some of his own clothes in Na-che's care.
For a moment no one spoke, then Na-che, her round brown face wrinkled with amusement, said, "Almost no Na-che, no Diana, no Judge, eh?" "Jove, what an escape!" breathed Enoch. "Na-che," said Diana, "you'll just have to return to the camp for another rope. You'd better ride back here. In the meantime, the Judge and I'll explore the dwelling." Na-che nodded and without another word, disappeared.
But little by little he drew near the Ida, to which he could see two dark bodies clinging. The Na-che, struggling to cross a whirlpool toward him, made slow progress. He had, indeed, dizzily grasped the Ida, before the other boat came up. "We can hang on, Hard!" gasped Milton. "Give us a tow to that sand spit yonder."
Again Na-che nodded and began to dish the stew, which came quite up to Jonas' estimate of it. After supper, the big fire was replenished and Mack produced a deck of cards. "Who said draw-poker?" he inquired. "Most any of our crowd will shout," said Agnew. "Judge?" Mack looked at Enoch, who was sitting before the fire, arms clasped about his knees. Enoch pulled his pipe out of his mouth to answer.
Na-che smiled, showing strong white teeth. "You feel sick from the saddle, eh, Jonas?" "Don't you worry about that, woman! I'll show you I'm as good as any Indian buck that ever lived!" Na-che grunted incredulously, but sat down beside Jonas nevertheless. In spite of the gibes, supper was ready eventually and was devoured with approval.
"To-night, I'll tell you, Lucy, some of the things you have forgotten." "You're a dear," murmured Diana, under her breath, turning to mount as Jonas and Na-che clambered into their saddles. All the afternoon, Enoch, riding under the burning sun, through the ever shifting miracles of color, rested in his happy dream. The past and the future did not exist for him.
Enoch looked admiringly at the grim young freckled face beneath the faded hat. "I see I shall have to appoint myself bodyguard," he said. "I'd suggest Jonas, only he's deserted me for the Na-che, and I doubt if you could win him from her." Milton laughed. "Nothing on earth can equal the joy of puddling about in boats, to the right kind of a chap, as the Wind in the Willows has it.
Give us hold of the end of the tripod, honey, and we'll help you out." A few moments of strenuous scrambling and pulling and Na-che was on the plateau brushing the sand from her clothes. "Sit down and get your breath, Na-che," said Enoch. "I'm fine! I don't need to sit," answered Na-che. "Let's get along." She started on briskly.
"Hotel! Frank, don't try to put on dog with me or snub me either!" exclaimed Enoch, dismounting. "And I am Enoch to you, just as that cowardly kid was, twenty-two years ago!" "Cowardly!" roared Frank. "Well, come in! Come in before I get started on that." "This is Jonas," said Na-che gravely. "I know who Jonas is," said Frank, shaking hands. "Come in! Come in! Before I burst with curiosity!
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