"Of course. I'll take you there, and fetch your luggage myself. But you're sure you won't go back while there's time?"
"Sure."
"If you're ill you can't ride on with the caravan."
"I shall be better to-morrow. God will help me, and you will help me, too. I shall be able to go on for a while. Maybe it need not be for long. People die in the desert. I've always thought it a beautiful death. When you promise to marry a person it's for better or worse. And I've never said I was not happy, Soldier! Only a little homesick and tired."
"Come with me to my tent," Max said, realizing that all his persuasions would be in vain. "Come quietly now, and I'll explain to—to Stanton."
"He knows I feel ill," she answered. "I told him. He will understand."
CHAPTER XXVII
THE ONLY FRIEND
When Stanton returned to his tent and found it empty he went out quickly again and called for St. George.