Following the canyon
line, he saw where its rim was broken by other intersecting
canyons, and farther down red walls and yellow cliffs leading
toward a deep blue cleft that he made sure was Deception Pass.
Walking out a few rods to a promontory, he found where the trail
went down. The descent was gradual, along a stone-walled trail,
and Venters felt sure that this was the place where Oldring drove
cattle into the Pass. There was, however, no indication at all
that he ever had driven cattle out at this point. Oldring had
many holes to his burrow.
In searching round in the little hollows Venters, much to his
relief, found water. He composed himself to rest and eat some
bread and meat, while he waited for a sufficient time to elapse
so that he could safely give the horses a drink. He judged the
hour to be somewhere around noon. Wrangle lay down to rest and
Night followed suit. So long as they were down Venters intended
to make no move. The longer they rested the better, and the safer
it would be to give them water. By and by he forced himself to go
over to where Black Star lay, expecting to find him dead. Instead
he found the racer partially if not wholly recovered. There was
recognition, even fire, in his big black eyes. Venters was
overjoyed. He sat by the black for a long time. Black Star
presently labored to his feet with a heave and a groan, shook
himself, and snorted for water.
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