Down the crevice toward the butte some object was moving. Sometimes it came out clearly, enormously magnified by the variation of heat radiation, and would seem about to be distinctly revealed in every detail to the observer; then its brilliancy would fade.
On the whole, the moving object looked like some gigantic worm crawling along the rut made by a narrow-rimmed wheel. The reflection gave no detail below the ground level, because of a different layer of air there, but moving along the centre of this outlined crevice was the bobbing, disappearing, and reappearing object.
“Don’t that git yer guessworks clogged, Buffler?” said Nomad, after a period of silent observation.
“It certainly is a puzzler; call the rest of the boys and see what they think of it.”
Before the mirage had faded the pards had seen the crawling thing reach the mirrored butte and disappear.
“That’s not in the direction we travel,” said Hickok, “but I move we go out of our way a few miles to see if that picture was painted true.”
“I second ther motion,” said Nomad.
“It is moved and approved that we make a tour of investigation to satisfy our own curiosity,” said Buffalo Bill. “If that be your minds you will so vote.”
All raised their hands and answered “Ay.”
Breakfast was prepared and eaten and then the pards set off on a mission of inquisitiveness which led to one of the strangest adventures that ever befell either of the famous scouts.