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"I'," answered Rhoda stoutly, "except about you You are shaking with exhaustion while I am as fit as can be"

"Oh, don't bother about me!" exclaimed John "I'm just a little tired"

But Rhoda was not to be put off

"How ht?"

"Not much," admitted DeWitt "I haven't been a heavy sleeper at tie as that rinned It was pleasant to have Rhoda bully hi eariness The fearful hardships that he had undergone had worked havoc with hi to pieces He stood wavering for a minute, then he slowly sat down in the sand

Rhoda stood beside him uncertainly and looked from the man to the i, the risk of recapture was great, yet her desert experiences told her that John ht them She had little faith that they would tuht, and wanted to prepare for a day of desert heat

"If ere sure just where the cao on for help But as we aren't certain, I'm afraid to be separated from you, John"

John looked up fiercely with his haggard eyes

"Don't you dare to move six inches from me, Rhoda It will kill me to lose you now"

"Of course I won't," said Rhoda "I've hado any farther"

Rhoda spoke with a cheerfulness she did not feel She looked about for a co-place but the desert was barren

"There's no use trying to find a coht where you are"

"Honey," said John, "I've no idea of sleeping It will be tih for that e reach cauard for just ten minutes I will lie flat in the sand and rest You take my watch and ti hih to lie in

"Just ten minutes," said DeWitt, and as he spoke he sank to sleep

Rhoda stood in the rown beard gave hiard look that was enhanced by the dark circles under his eyes That wan face touched Rhoda much more than the healthy face of former days The lines of weariness and pain that never could be fully erased were all for her, she thought with a little catch of her breath Then with a pitying, affectionate look at the sleeping ht no one could equal John in physical vigor Now she pictured Kut-le's panther strength and endurance, and smiled