The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-06-01

A MIRAGE ON THE PLAINS.
was journeying in the summer of
lS- with q small party of army officers,
who, with their escort and wagon train
were en- route from 1.-The States" to Santa
Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico -
We started from Fort Leavenworth about
the middle Of July, and for ten OF twelve
days, in passing through a country some
what settled, each day found some new
scene to interest US. The novelty of the
journey, a trip Of such distance on horse
back, enabled me TO undergo cheerfully
the fatigue, and success in hunting the
buffalo and antelope amply compensated
me for the discomtorts arising from con-
slant riding and unaccustemed exposure
to the burning rays of the sun.
We gradually entered the dreary plains,
where nothing save an occasional sand.
hill, or here and there the skeleton of a
horse or buffalo, relieved the wearied eye.
1t was the very picture of desolation. Fog
days tue same level plain seemed to travel
with US. Pools of Shiny water were
found at known points on the route, at
distances of from ten to fifty miles apart,
compelling Us 10 travel on several occa-
sions portion of the night, as we'll as day,
TO reach them.
1t was on Sunday and about the twenty
third day of our journey that ne saw the
wonderful mirage. With gentleman who
had grown gray in the service, l was
riding some distance ahead of the train.
We had been travelling since daylight,
and had many miles to go to reach a rest
ing place where water for the tired and
thirsty could be found All day not
tree or shrub, not an animal save those in
our train was TO be seen a kind of wooliy
grass, parched and dead, covered the 9th
erwise barren soil; around, on every side
the same the eye WAS panied by the dull
vacancy; far away The sky seemed to
meet and blend with the fading view the
sun poured down It's rays with intense
power; the horses and mules were beg
giDg for drink in their peculiarly exprsss>
ire way, as we moved on in sileRce, think
ing, no doubt, Of the bubbling springs and
ripping streams, of the green verdure and
shady groves of the land of our homes
All at once the sun was obscured by
cloud, and slight shower of rain fell
and looking before me l saw, short space
to the right of the road, and apparently
about two miles distant, a cluster of trees,
small, but green and perfect in shape.
While wondering that had net before
observed them, l directly saw others at
some distance from the first noticed
Small, dull clouds hung around them, sit
ting like dark vail over the scene, and
through this vail Of clouds moved shadowy
and indistinct forms, which enc by one,
as the misty screen here and there faded
slowly away, took shape and settled into
stately OAKS and towering elms and pines;
and before our thirsty eyes, beyond the
trees, appeared in outlines, dim at first,
the borders of a lake of limped waters.
Soon the curtained clouds were gone.
and there, in all the distinct and inviting
loveliness of nature, lay placid lake in
the midst of verdant forest, holly and
beech, oak and elm, pine and magnolia,
all mingled together, yet each distinctly
marked as by the Creators hand. On the
farther side were hills covered with lofty
trees, and far away in the back ground,
blue mountains, with large boulders pro-
trudiBg from their sides, added much to
the picturesque grandeur of the view. BE.
tween the hills, over rocky bluff, poured
the waters OF sparkling cascade into the
lake below, and among the trees on the
borders of the lake sat neat white cottages
and gardens of different sizes, and at its
head arose the village spire. Here be-
fore US, in sterile plain, was lovely vii
iage with the gardens of shrubs and flow
ers, its shady groves and g!ades, its placid
lake, green bills and distant mountains.
Its miniature Niagara, and its little white
church with i;s spire pointing heavenward,
and that nothing should be wanting to add
to Its loveliness-a beautiful rainbow
sPanned the sky, inclosing in its many
colored arc nearly the whole illusion.
looked upon the gorgeous spectacle
with rapture, and after few CALCULATIONS
Of wonder and delight rode slowly on, al
most afraid to speak, lest word would
break the ehchantment, and dissolve, as
1t were, mystic spell thankful that all
though this was bot as hesting phantas-
uaagoria, soon to vanish, He had clothed
the earth in places with beauties like these
to cheer and comfort man. 1t was tee
beautiful to remain long upon such desert,
and soon the brightest colors of the bow
grew dim, the nearest trees began to dis
appear. and then, gradually, each object
faded from view, leaving, at last, only a
dull leaden cloud upon the distant horizon
Thus" | said, as gazed upon the