just at sunset the two children stood on the cliff.

all about them was beautiful red sandstone.

so red were the rocks that the setting sun made them glow like fire.

every little bush in the valley was covered with gleaming red sand.

the few white rocks looked like silver in the fiery light.

“oh, teni,” said homesick little mavo, “let us go in and ask demino to take us to our mother and father.”

but demino was already climbing down the cliff to get his pony.

the brother and sister jumped with joy when they saw him.

“oh, demino!” they said, “are we going home now?”

“yes,” said demino.

“may we ride on the pony?” said little mavo. “i am not afraid.”

demino lifted mavo on the pony and told teni to jump up behind her.

“you must not let mavo fall, teni,” said demino. “i will walk beside you, and lead the pony to your home.”

the people had gathered on the cliff as teni and mavo started off.

the children shouted “good-by!” and “thank you!” and demino’s little boy waved his hand as long as he could see them.

“see, there is the tower, mavo,” said teni.

“we must be very far from home, for i never had seen the tower before this morning.”

“your father has been there,” said demino. “he can tell you all about it.”

they rode a long while, and mavo grew very tired.

teni put his arms about her, and said: “we will soon be home, mavo.”

as they rode on, mother moon and the baby stars seemed to smile and say, “we are glad, too, that you will soon be home.”