Another thing very unusual in this experience was the fact that the cañon walls, instead of rising straight up from the water, stood back, leaving on either side a strip on which, amid great masses of detached sandstone there grew a number of stunted mezquite and cedar trees.
They were all as wet as they well could be, but they had grown so accustomed to this that Sam made up his mind not to go ashore to dry their clothes, but to keep right on, when a shout from Ike caused him to change his purpose.
"I see a wolf or a deer; way dar to de right!" and Ike pointed down to where the bushes hid the rocks.
"Lat no deel," said Wah Shin, as he bent forward and shaded his eyes.
"Mebbe yeh ken tell us wat it is," said Ike, with a touch of sarcasm, for having discovered the animal he felt that he had a right to say what it was.
"Lat's yalla doggee," said Wah Shin.
And Wah Shin was right, for at that instant the animal sprang into view and began a vigorous barking, and a frisking back and forth.
"It's Maj! It's Maj!" cried Ike.
Maj it certainly was, and the joy of the faithful creature at seeing his friends was touching.
Sam at once guided the raft to the shore, but while it was yet many yards away, the dog swam out, was pulled on board and at once jumped on Sam, who if he had not been wet before certainly would have been now.