There was, also, the disappointment in the Burro Lode claim. As
Bud planned it, the Burro was packing a very light load--far
lighter than had seemed possible with that strong indication on
the surface. Cash's "enormous black ledge" had shown less and
less gold as they went into it, though it still seemed worth
while, if they had the capital to develop it further. Wherefore
they had done generous assessment work and had recorded their
claim and built their monuments to mark its boundaries. It would
be safe for a year, and by that time--Quien sabe?

The Thompson claim, too, had not justified any enthusiasm
whatever. They had found it, had relocated it, and worked out the
assessment for the widow. Cash had her check for all they had
earned, and he had declared profanely that he would not give his
share of the check for the whole claim.

They would go on prospecting, using the check for a grubstake,
That much they had decided without argument. The gambling
instinct was wide awake in Bud's nature--and as for Cash, he
would hunt gold as long as he could carry pick and pan. They
would prospect as long as their money held out. When that was
gone, they would get more and go on prospecting. But they would
prospect in a green country where wood and water were not so
precious as in the desert and where, Cash averred, the chance of
striking it rich was just as good; better, because they could
kill game and make their grubstake last longer.

Wherefore. they waited in Gila Bend for three days, to
strengthen the weakened animals with rest and good hay and grain.
Then they took again to the trail, traveling as lightly as they