"I admit, two of them months I was laid up with a busted ankle an' shoulder blade.

Tunnel caved in on me." They talked late that night and were comrades, brothers, partners share and share alike before they slept.

Next morning Casey tried again to start the Ford; couldn't; and yielded to Barney's argument that burros were better than a car for prospectin' in that rough country.

They overhauled Casey's outfit, took all the grub and as much else as the burros could carry and debated seriously what point in the Panamints they should aim for.
"Where's that there Joshuay tree pointin' to ?" Casey asked finally.
"She's the biggest and oldest in the bunch, and ever since I've been here she's looked like she's got somethin' on 'er mind.

Whadda yuh think, Barney ?" Barney walked around the yucca, stood behind the extended arm, squinted at the sharp-peaked butte with the black capping, toward which the gaunt tree seemed to point.