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They woke early the next ot hot They were high enough to see far out into the desert Occasionally they would see a car on a dirt road, but most of the time all they saas endless desert Jonathan was happy about that He was enjoying their outing, though he confessed to being hungry

Alex said they were close to where he suspected they ht find water, so he divided his attention between the horse and their back trail He was certain they were being followed, but never said why No one else saw anything that would indicate anyone was following them

They found the water in an unexpected place They were on a ridge below a peak when the horse perked its ears and nickered There was a place that looked like part of thea tiny valley with a depression where water collected fro out of the mountain There were deer and antelope tracks at the water's edge and lots of grass Alex refilled the canteen fro while the horse drank froraze while he checked to see if anyone followed

Carmen watched as he climbed the slope and lay on his stomach at the top where he could look down thetime and when he returned, he took Car us on horseback I want you and the children to stay here I'e them"

Carmen frowned "What do you think you can do? Don't shoot at the to rescue us"

He shook his head "They're not trying to rescue us, Carmen"

"How can you be so sure?"

"I recognized one of thenize, and that was the man who had captured them "Be careful, Alex"

He nodded "I'll try to lead them in another direction Follow this trail Jonathan can lead you We haven't et there before dark I'll try to get more horses"

He handed the rifle to her and mounted the horse When he reached down for the rifle, she handed it to hi theht not"Don't take unnecessary risks, Alex"

He gathered the reins and looked down at her "Car to do if they catch up with us?"