Emerging into the clearing which surrounded the power-plant, they
discovered the machine in question standing dark and deserted in
the shadows. Evidently the driver, whoever he was, well knew what
he was about, and had not blundered upon this place by accident. A
hundred yards away they could now see the ghostly Rio Grande, its
saffron surface faintly silvered by the low moon; lights gleamed
from the windows of Morales's house. In the distance the vague
outlines of the Mexican shore were resolving themselves, and far
beyond winked the evidence that some belated citizens of Romero
were still awake.
Paloma had brought with her the long-barreled Winchester rifle,
and this she clutched nervously as she and Alaire stood
whispering. Conditions were favorable for an approach to the pump-
house itself, for two ridges of earth, perhaps eight feet high,
thrown up like parallel furrows from a giant plow, marked the
beginning of the irrigation ditch, and in the shadow of these the
women worked their way forward, unobserved. They had nearly
reached their goal when out into the clearing behind them, with
metallic rattle and clang, burst another automobile, and Paloma
whispered, excitedly:
"There's the Lewis outfit at last.
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