The Arkansaw traveler., 1882-12-03

farther that night. Unguided, might 20 in the wrong direction. On the mor- row there might be sun in the sky that would point out the quarters Of the com pass.
 had made up my mind to remain, but fingered in the saddle, reluctant to aiight. It seemed like surrendering to despair. Besides. was suffering from thirst. as was also my horse. Should we make an effort to find water.
 Al that moment, as if answering me, the sky assumed a change. Its sombre, leaden surface became broken into as- cending clouds. amidst which the sun burst suddenly forth-now low down. As the yellow light fell athwau the plain. l saw upon the horizons edge dark speck. Apparently clump of aborescent ynffas, by the MeNicans termed bainU22d5. Such trees denzens of the desert-gave slight promise of the presence oi water. Ssill, 1t would be better to sleep under their shade than sab /ovf. Besides, they were landmark. and would serve for a point of departure m the morning.
 l resolved to ride on to them.
 had gathered up my reins. and was about giving the spur io my tired steed. when voice sounded in my ears, caus- ! ing me n hold hard IL came from be- hind. pronouncins the hail. ''Hoid. My horse answered it with snort. and reared suddenly round. There was a woman upon tho plain
 Though the hal had prepared me for this for II was Tn feminine voice words cannot speak my amazement. But the moment before l had scanned the prairie round. It was level as the bed of billiard table, and smooth as fresh mown meadow. There was nothing on it inside circle of ten miles diameter. And now within less than twenty paoes stood q a'Oman.
 Whence had she come or sprung: Ris- en out of the earth: Or dropped down from heaven: caught myself looking toward the sky, interrogating the clouds.
 Was II in reality woman: Or only a kHsas n.IfEyG-some vision oonlured up by my brain iong labor;ng, or engen- dcred by the atmosphere. l had been often mocked by the mirage. Was ii a fresh trick this singular phenomenon was playing me?
 Doubting, rubbed my eyes. and set
 
 said, It was scarce twenty paoes of. and. as saw, approaching. Step by step i, was coming on, drawing higher and nigh CT. Surely it was no chimera of the brain. no atmospheric illusion. but flesh and blood. That. too, in its fairest form. Surely II was d woman.
 Her words put the matter beyond doubt.
 ..fdonde eR. Ramon'" she said. sill continuing to approach. They are ready to start. They wonder at your being so late, and have sent me3to see If you were coming. What detained you: Why do you tarV there: .SagtlSunp. The hnal exclamation MAS in tone -xen. difieIcn, from the rest of the speech As she pronounce ed Ii she made sudden stop. raising her hand io her forehead. 10 shade her eyes frain the sun. With this low down. and diteetly behind me. she could but see sonic one on horseback As her speech prov ed she had mistaken me for another. AN
 saw that she wss &anning me: and. without saying word.N Nawaated the re- suit. V 1, came in half-surprsed er,.~ ending LII ihS cASialht- IfS u VIE lftPA-
 The tone told of surprise, chagrin. even anger. All these were comminslcd m her look. ------------------------------ ---
 She was turning as fl to retreat.
 stay said entreatingly.- Is true l am not Ramon. but
 But who:' she asked. again facing round. and coming to firm stand, while gun which she earned was dropped butt upon the ground
 Well; one who will not harm you
 Not harm me. Indeed. Ha. ha. ha,. That's very fine. Ha. ha, Who fears you, sir. Do look like one who can't take care of myself: You harm me, Ha. ha, hal"
 At this she raised ,hs gun. and held il half leveled upon me.
 But for her laughter might have felt fear. But this. ringing clear. and loud preoluded all idea of danger.
 As she continued ,o laugh. long after she had ceased speaking, l occupied the time in taking in survey of her person.
 The figure WAS that of woman full grown, though no, long out of her girl hood. In size almost masculine, but only in this. In every line it displayed the soS tSiiiihiuS Sputoul, ouSt- Ouuy. lfInS, and limbs boldly. ye, gracefully devel- oped. The face was of a pronounced beauty. even when the scowl was upon it. In laughter it was lit up by a serrature of white teeth that showed neither speck nor flaw. These formed a pleasing oon,ras, to complexion more than sun-browned, further relieved by that damask blush on the cheeks which gives the picture-like look to daIusels of dark hue.
 Around the face was framework of raven hair, spreading beyond both shoul- ders, and streaming like torrent down her back, till it almos, trailed the ground Under this profuse eSrsieye. and partially concealed by Il. was costume core spending to its wildness. Moccasins close fitting the feet; leggings continued ;o ;hs knee, there HiSi U skirt fiinsed and beAd-embroidered; above. boddice elaborately adorned with stitching and stained porcupine quills; the whole sur mounted by circlet of painted plumes set eoquettishly on the head; pearl strings s4 fha y.A~E. sA