While Ike and Wah Shin gathered dry cactus and weeds to make a fire, Ulna shouted to them not to make a light till he came back; then motioning to Sam to follow him he led the way up a steep ascent, the summit of which promised a view of the surrounding country.
After a half hour's clambering they reached the top, and after the cramped range of vision that recently hemmed them in, the sight that now gladdened their eyes was thrilling and inspiring beyond expression.
A table land, nearly devoid of vegetation, broken here and there by chasms, or stately pillars of sand rock came to view under a blaze of golden sun-light that poured down from a cloudless sky with a splendor nearly blinding in its brilliancy.
Away to the east the wall of the Sierra Madre mountains rose up like an amethystine rampart, the snow peaks glowing in the light of the declining sun like mighty masses of fire opal.
After inhaling a long breath, the better to give expression to his surprise and delight, Sam exclaimed in the poetical language of Mrs. Hemans:
"For the strength of the hills we bless Thee, my God, our father's God!"
Ulna's fine face, though usually calm and impassive, now showed much feeling, but that this was not due to the glorious scenery about them was soon evident.
"Sam," he said, "I didn't care to speak to you before Ike and Wah Shin, for I did not want to excite them, but I saw something down there at the spring that troubles me very much."
"What was that?" asked Sam.
"A track."