Na-che grunted incredulously, but sat down beside Jonas nevertheless.

In spite of the gibes, supper was ready eventually and was devoured with approval.  When the meal was finished, Na-che and Jonas cleared up, then Jonas took his blanket and retired to a corner of the cave, whence emerged almost immediately the sound of regular snoring.  The others sat around the fire only a short time.

“You’ll stick around for a little while, won’t you, Diana?” said Curly, as he filled his first pipe.

“I really ought to pull out in the morning,” replied Diana.  “There are some very special pictures I want to get at Oraibai about now.”

“There is a cliff dwelling down the river about three miles,” said Enoch.  “I haven’t found the trail into it yet, but I saw the dwelling distinctly from a curve on the top of the Canyon wall.  It’s a huge construction.”

“Is that so?” exclaimed Diana eagerly.  “Why, those must be the Gray ruins.  I didn’t realize we were so close to them.  Well, you’ve tempted me and I’ve fallen.  I really must give a day to those remains.  Only one or two whites have ever gone through them.”

Enoch smiled complacently.

“How long have you and the Judge known each other, Diana?” asked Curly suddenly.

Diana hesitated but Enoch spoke quickly.  “The first time I saw Miss Allen she was a baby of five or six on Bright Angel trail.”

Curly whistled.  “Then you’ve got it on the rest of us.  I first saw her when she was a sassy miss in school at Tucson.”

“Nothing on me!” said Mack.  “I held her in my arms when she was ten days old, and my wife was with her mother and Na-che when she was born.  You were a red-faced, squalling brat, Diana.”

“She was a beautiful baby!  She never cried,” contradicted Na-che flatly.

Diana laughed and rose.  “This is getting too personal.  I’m going to bed,” she said.  The men looked at her, admiration in every face.

“Anything any of us can do for your comfort, Diana?” asked Curly.  “Na-che seemed satisfied with the place I put your tent in.”

“Everything is fine, thank you,” Diana held out her hand, “Good night, Curly.  I really think you’re handsomer than ever.”

“Lots of good that’ll do me,” retorted Curly.

Diana made a little grimace at him and turned to Mack.  “Good night,
Mack.  I’ll bet you’re homesick for Mrs. Mack this minute.”

“She’s a pretty darned fine old woman!” Mack nodded soberly.

“Old!” said Diana scornfully.  “You ought to have your ears boxed!  Good night, Judge!”

“Good night, Miss Allen!”

The three men watched the tall figure swing out into the moonlight.

“There goes the most beautiful human being I ever hope to see,” said Curly, turning to unroll his blankets.

“If I was a painter and wanted to tell what this here country was really like, at its best, I’d paint Diana.”  Mack’s voice was very earnest.