Этюд в багровых тонах
On the great Alkali Plain.
Herrosylipswereparted,showingtheregularlineofsnow-whiteteethwithin,andaplayfulsmileplayedoverherinfantilefeatures. Herplumplittlewhitelegsterminatinginwhitesocksandneatshoeswithshiningbuckles,offeredastrangecontrasttothelongshrivelledmembersofhercompanion. Ontheledgeofrockabovethisstrangecoupletherestoodthreesolemnbuzzards,who,atthesightofthenewcomersutteredraucousscreamsofdisappointmentandflappedsullenlyaway.
Thecriesofthefoulbirdsawokethetwosleeperswhostaredabout20theminbewilderment. Themanstaggeredtohisfeetandlookeddownupontheplainwhichhadbeensodesolatewhensleephadovertakenhim,andwhichwasnowtraversedbythisenormousbodyofmenandofbeasts. Hisfaceassumedanexpressionofincredulityashegazed,andhepassedhisboneyhandoverhiseyes. “Thisiswhattheycalldelirium,Iguess,”hemuttered. Thechildstoodbesidehim,holdingontotheskirtofhiscoat,andsaidnothingbutlookedallroundherwiththewonderingquestioninggazeofchildhood.
Therescuingpartywerespeedilyabletoconvincethetwocastawaysthattheirappearancewasnodelusion. Oneofthemseizedthelittlegirl,andhoistedheruponhisshoulder,whiletwootherssupportedhergauntcompanion,andassistedhimtowardsthewaggons.
“MynameisJohnFerrier,”thewandererexplained; “meandthatlittleunareallthat’slefto’twenty-onepeople. Therestisalldeado’thirstandhungerawaydowninthesouth.”
“Issheyourchild?”askedsomeone.
