Old man--my dad--drivin'." She added
the latter kinship as a protecting influence against strangers, in spite
of her previous independence.
The men glanced at each other.
"How long ago?"
The girl suddenly remembered that she had slept two hours.
"Sens noon," she said hesitatingly.
"Since the earthquake?"
"Wot's that?"
The man came impatiently towards her. "How did you come here?"
"Got outer the wagon to walk. I reckon dad missed the trail, and hez got
off somewhere where I can't find him."
"What trail was he on,--where was he going?"
"Sank Hozay,* I reckon. He was goin' up the grade--side o' the hill; he
must hev turned off where there's a big rock hangin' over."
* San Jose.
"Did you SEE him turn off?"
"No."
The second man, who was in hearing distance, had turned away, and was
ostentatiously examining the sky and the treetops; the man who had
spoken to her joined him, and they said something in a low voice. They
turned again and came slowly towards her.
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