Monty Girard did not return on the second day. A full week dragged itself minute by minute across Johnnywater; days began suddenly with a spurt of color over the eastern rim of the canyon, snailed it across the blue space above and after an interminable period ended in a red riot beyond the western rim, letting night flow into the canyon.
The first day went quickly enough. At sunrise Gary and the spotted cat searched the bluff where the voice had called beseechingly in the nightcanyon. Gary carried a two-quart canteen filled with water, knowing that a man who has lain injured all night will have a maddening thirst by morning.
At noon he sat on a boulder just under the rim rock, helped himself to a long drink from the canteen and stared disheartened down into the canyon. He was hoarse fro
