McTeague swore under his breath as he flung the rifle away.

Henceforth he must travel unarmed.
A little more water had gathered in the mud hole near which he had camped.

He watered the mule for the last time and wet the sacks around the canary's cage.

Then once more he set forward.
But there was a change in the direction of McTeague's flight.

Hitherto he had held to the south, keeping upon the very edge of the hills; now he turned sharply at right angles.