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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I wouldnt lie, she replied, with direct simplicity
that indeedreminded Adam of an Indian.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Action was constructive; grief was destructive. A
sickwoman with a child living in the lonely shadow of San Jacinto! Genie, youve
watched a road runner, all right. But I think you should not want me to keep her
here toolong, replied Adam, earnestly. But then their eyes were never kind like
yours. Then the sun rose like liquid silver, bursting to flood the desert world. And
if a brave wanted a wife hebought her.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then placing aponderous knee on the back of the
mans neck, he knelt there, holding himdown.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then the man, hissing like a snake, was reaching
for his gun when Adamstruck him. Then he set himself to further tasks, and soon that
day was ended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>He who hadspoken with so few men and women on the
desert now was inspired by achild.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The girl touched his arm, timidly, almost
appealingly,as Adam hesitated over his reply. Adam could see the blur of its almost
invisible wings.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But I think you should not want me to keep her here
toolong, replied Adam, earnestly.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What would I have done without love of
everythingthat flies and crawls and grows?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But I didnt see any Indiansfalling in
love.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Well, little girl, thats a long way off, said Adam,
divided betweenhumour and pathos. Otherdays like it passed swiftly, and each one
brought more hope of prolongingMrs. The darkness was intense inside the hut, and
Adam leaning at the door,could see nothing. Now, little girl, you can tell me whats
wrong, said Adam, rising.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>He had returnedto the desert land he loved best,
and which haunted him. When Adam considered life in nature, he couldunderstand this
disease. You know how the dead cones fall off andlie around.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yet she was not sparedthis horrible
torture.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Adams quick ear had caught the metallic hum of
tiny, swift wings.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thismarvellous light intensified, while below the
wondrous shadows deepened. Soon Genies insensibility to painand hunger was as if it
had never been.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then he said he would come backagain for me some
day and take me out of the desert.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It happened to be while Genie was absent,
listeningto the bees or watching the flow of water.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Well, Genie, they wanted to be together because
they loved eachother. Gazing into them, Adam hardly saw the small unattractive,
starvedface. Say, Im curious about this girl youve got with you, said
Adam,deliberately.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>He wassoon weaned, and kicked out of the nest to
die or survive.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Despite the way Adam stooped as he entered, his
lofty head brushed thepalm-leafed roof. When its up it shows some gold colour,
almost red underneath. Genie laughed when he bumped against a cross-beam. But that
is notthe most wonderful thing a road runner does. </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>