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Securely strapping Murphy to his saddle, and packing all their

re the other to

follow or remain behind as it pleased, he advanced directly into the

hills, steering by aid of the stars, his left hand ever on Murphy's

bridle rein, his low voice of expostulation seeking to calm the other's

wild fancies and to curb his violent speech It was a weird, wild ride

through the black night, unknown ground under foot, unseen dangers upon

every hand Murphy's aberrations changed fro terror to a

wild, uncontrollable hilarity, with occasional outbursts of violent

anger, when it required all Hampton's iron will and e aloo steep, rocky

ledges on either side, with sufficient grass for the horses Leaving

Murphy bound, Hampton clambered up the front of the rock to where he

was able to look out All was silent, and his heart sank as he

surveyed the brown sterile hills stretching to the horizon, having

ulches of rock and sand between, the sheer nakedness of

the picture unrelieved by green shrub or any living thing Then,

al, he slid back, stretched hirass, and sank into the slumber of exhaustion, his last conscious