The National tribune., 1882-02-04


sheut from the mesa top announced wagon in
sight, and every one felt that weight was taken
from his mind. All rushed to the summit, and
saw, beyond all doubt crawling slowly, just
within the horizon, and barely visible, wagon
and team. The meal just prepared was discussed
with greater appetite, while laughter and jesting
displaced the uneasiness which had been pre-
viously but too palpable.
The only exceptions to this uplifting of the
spirits were in the party from Blue Creek. An
ME seemed to grow more timid-anxious would
probably be better word to use in her case
and whenever at leisure she repaired to the
summit of the mesa, and gazed wistfully in the
direction by which she had come. Mrs. SAMMY
appeared to share this anxiety; while Jonathan,
her husband, fatty refused to work, or to lay
aside his rifle for a moment, and no sentinel
could have patrolled the camp more regularly
than did that worthy. 1t was in vain to remon-
strate with him. off you calculate on getting
out of this without using your shooters, you re
off on your wrong foot, you bet," was his reply to
all argument; and no man amt going to git
the first draw on this here child, if he can any
way get the first draw on him."
Work had been resumed, when the lookout
called to Gerald, who at once went up to him.
SAY" began the man; " that wagon gets no
nearer, and it's crossing the plain to the north.
l don't think it's our team, anyhow"
Elkley watched for a time through the glass,
and saw that the scout was right. The vehicle
had travelled several miles without coming
closer. For while, it had seemed possible the
driver might have been choosing the best track;
but it had now passed beyond the line of the
camp, and was evidently merely a chance team
going northwards most unfortunate delay
had arisen in consequence of this mistake, as
the afternoon was now pretty well advanced,
AS soon as the intelligence spread, the whole of
the prospectors assembled on the mesa, and
general feeling was expressed that the water ex-
pedition should be set out at once. They were
discussing who and how many should be chosen
to go, when Jose ran quickly up the mesa slope,
and then, with an abruptness quite usual with
him, he thrust himself into the centre of the
group He wore a hard scowl on his deter
mined features but his voice was harsher as he
said: "My dog Bodon is murdered Some trail
tor has stabbed him outside the camp. I'll shoot
him if find him. But what are you going to
do about it, Senores?"
This news startled them all It was instantly
plain that whoever had killed their savage but
invaluable four footed guard, meant no good to
the party: and for moment even the want of
water was forgotten in this alarming incident.
Many hurried opinions were given most ear
nest among which was Jose's strenuous advice
to lynch I" that Mesican," to whom he gave
credit for the death of the dog; when during
a moments pause, the nasal tones of Mr.. SAMMY
were heard. II expect you are right about that
greaser, jose" he said. [Greaser is the regular
name for Mexican in the vulgate of New Mex
leo, and used without any intention to offend.
" But if we lynch him, he can't tell us nothing
afterwards; and what's more, we can't make use
of him to spile the hands of them cussed white
Iniuns which are sneaking around, l bet my
bottom dollar. can see jest what the game u.s.
and | can spile it, ! can. Here's the idea if
you'll listen" The crafty old frontiersman then
expounded his views; which were adopted i'm
mediately, as all were pleased to find anything
like definite plan offered in the crisis which
seemed to be impending.
The work was carried on for the remainder of
that day in unusual silence announcement being
first made that the wagon would start for the
springs directly after dark, and that the force
would be divided: eight would 60 with the team,
while nine would keep the camp. The wagon
would reach the springs in four or five hours, it
was calculated; and so could return by noon the
next day, giving the mules some rest. Annie was
much distressed at hearing that the camp was to
be left with so weak a garrison, but was too good
a soldier to murmur. She was observed to be
cleaning her light rife, which had not previously
been shown; while Mr.. Sannys spouse openly,
and without any compromise in the matter,
buckled a revolver to her waist, in most Western
fashion.
Supper passed almost in silence, which prevail
ed also during the short interval of twilight;
then, as darkness gathered around them the mules
were quietly brought out, harnessed to the wag
on and the selected eightfour prospectors, two
white" helps, and two Nexicans-started on
their errand. The suspected Mexican was re-
tanned in the camp; so was Jose.
'Senor Elkley," said the latter, as Gerald stood
listning to the now faint sound of the departing
team, that thar Greaser has been out of camp.
see him come sneaking round back of mesa Just
now. think we better hang him at once"
Jose's advice was not adopted and silence as
profound as that of the wide prairies themselves
settled down upon the camp.
1t was dark night; the moon was in it's first
quarter; and although in those cloudless skies
the stars were shining, their light was only just