The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-09-06
LOST on THE rEaIIIE.
BY GEOFFBET RANDOLPH.

One morning, as Andrew Chand
Ter. teamster, was harvesting uE
bis mules, for the purpose Of going tc
place known as the Cedars, 10 pro.
cure bad Of rails, stranger, after
inquiring the direction be proposed
to 20, asked permission TO ride. The
request, as a matter of course, was
granted: for out in Colorado, as well
as in other parts Of the " est, 40 per
son whCld dream Of refusal under
such circumstances
Chandler was IN the employ Of
Mark Martin, the owner of au eXten-
sive rancho, and be was large pow
erful man, with a fne physique, not
given TO drink, and one who had a
great deal Of experience 10 the earlier
settlement of that portion of Colorado
His team at this time consisted of a
pair Of toughened, hardy mules. and
be carried the weapon with him ex-
cept his knee-edged axe, with which
be intended to get out the rails.
As they progressed, his companion
gave bis name as Cole, and stated
that be was on his way TO Salt City,
where be intended TO settle among
the Mormsns. Chandler had no sus-
picion that be was telling an unlruth,
although there were several things
about him which to say the least, were
cur.oBs
Ia the Ars: place, it is not the rule
for 8 man, wbea traveiing through
the West for any long distance. 10
make that journey on foot, a.
Cole was doing. If one can't buy
q horse. be is pretty sure to find op-
portunities to steal it; and when the
difficulties and dangers Of an expsdi-
ton on foot from the interior Of Colo
radv to the great centre Of Mormon
don are remembered, be might well
wander at the temeriiy Of The man
who undertakes IL
Besides this. be carried 40 rifle. in
4 country where every man is armed.
1t was probable that be had several
reyolvers and bowie-knives concealed
about his clothes; but these did not
make complete OUTFIT. He was
dressed well, there being nothing Of
the roach border atiire about him.
lie wore a long black flowing beard,
had Roman nose, s small dark eve,
that flashed Ike rattlesnase's, and
be was evidently q man who vas
alert snd wide awake.
10 addition to the features already
noted. be vss great ialkeE and
most entertaining story teller; that,
as The two logged along behind the
mules. Chandler congratulated BIN
self more than once Dpon having Sc
cured such "a entertaining compan-
ion.
The day vas lowering, cloudy aud
chilly. and s. the autumn was well ad
vaneed. there yss reason 10 look Tor
snow. The Cedars were some ten
miles from the Fanehe, and upon
the place they unfastened
the mules. established camp. leav
the bedding aud clothing securely
rolled Up and placed at one side,
" here they could be got whenever
wanted
During ali these preparations, Cole,
lent whatever assistance be could,
aud was as CHEEKY and entertaining
a. ever. saying that if be remained in
camp over night be would probably
STAY with him
Chandler had no more than fairly
se- to work cutting ont rails, when
be expressed himself dissatisfied with
the quality, and proposed that they
should 90 Oh to pcint quarter OF
3 mile away, where they were GER
tain TO hnd what they wanted His
companion was not the ore 10 object, .
and the mules were rebsrnessed 10 |
he wagon. and they drove CD
As they came cat from beneath I
he eedsrs, upon the open prairie,
.aop was falling The particles were
iDe aad feaibery, bat the weather
= az unusually cold, and ell the indi-
,asioas were that the STERN would
1e Of long duration Skill neither
slowed any fear Of trouble lhereffom,
md tkey drove away 10 ss CHEEKY 4 I
mood as is imaginable, their inten-l
ion being 10 return 10 the Cedsrs,