“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.”