The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-21

well-prepared food, we talked on gen.
erai questions for an hour or so, when
our host signified his readiness to show
us to our sleeping apartment, prefixing
his motion for adjournment thus soon
with an apology for the necessary early
habits he had formed in his role of
farmer, while we both assured him that
after our respective long rides the prop
position met with our entire approval,
and that we were quite ready to act
upon it.
As our hosts accommodations were
limited, my lately-made acquaintance
and | became not only room-mates but
bed-fellows, and shortly after our host
had hidden us goodnight. my COM
panion's nasal organ proclaimed that
ne slumbered. | had inadvertently
taken cup of strong coffee for supper,
and now remembered, although too
late for practical benefit, that it inya-i-
ably excited my brain and nerves
to an unpleasant degree whore
sleep was coveted. So L lay
restlessly awake for several hours,
striving to wear off the effects of this
light stimulant sufficiently to close my
eyes in restful slumber. At last there
came a semi-obliviousness.
Whether it might be correctly called
a sleep J. cannot say, even at this late
day. l seemed to be quite conscious
at first Of my whereabouts. and of the
various circumstances that had given
me my present quarters and roommate.
who still slept at my side, yet gradually
nrt n do a,.lyn nc hn
strange scene was evolved.
L saw mountainous stretch of
country; great boulders hurled about
b. superhuman strength. strewed the
foreground. In the middle distance
arose a wall of rugged, time-worn
rocks, while far above this Jagged line
a long range of snow-capped peaks
lowered heavcnward. Descending 4
rocky defle, and in the shadow of the
high-tOwering wall, were to be seen
two travellers, mounted on low but
muscular and sure-foOted donkeyS,
much used in such localities. Beyond
these four living objects, no other signs
Of life were visible. 1t was spot of
great loneliness and solitude.
The travellers were ha5ited in the
rude, coarse costumes suited to life
amid these wild scenes, while the great,
wide -brimmed hats they wore con-
cealed their features from my scrutiny.
When they had advanced still nearer.
one of the riders paused, and pointed
forward.
followed with my eye the direction
he indicated, and saw where small
oe
adjacent cliff, forming little pool of
sparkling beauty at its base, then
wound in and ont, like sheeny ribbon,
among the loose stones, until finally
lost to view. The two travellers rode
to where the spring gushed forth, and
both dismounted.
While one busted himself about the
saddle of his trusty animal, the other
came to the spring and lad aside his |
hat. 1t was then 1 saw his
features for the first time. His face was |
a pleasant one, not handsome, but agree
able 10 the eye, for genial, kind nature |
was discoverable in it's lineaments. |
His complexion seemed much en-
by out-of-door life and ex-
posure to wind and sun A large mole
Just to the right of his nose, little
above the heavy mustache, gave pc
culiar emphasis to his features, and
impressed still more. distinctly on my
mind his countenance, which was that
Of an entire stranger. CareleSsly rum
ming his hand through his matted black
hair, and tossing it back from his
heated brow, he knelt and began to
drink from the crystal pool at his feet.
BY this time his companion had reached
his side, and as the one stopped to
guench his thirst the other gave q swift.
glance around, then quickly
drew from its leather casing gieam-
ing pistol and placed it at the bended |
head of the unsuspecting victim.
As the murderous intent of the viii
lain flashed across my brain, L instantly
sought to cry out in warning tones to !
his helpless and innocent companion
but a strange numbneSS seemed to |
overpower me, and seal my lips 1
could make no sound.
/ strove to close my eyes, and shut |
out the fearful sight, so soon to be en-
acted, yet the same strange power,
seeming to hold my will in allegiance, |
kept them unciosed. There was flash, !
q curl of smoke, and with a shudder of |
horror l saw the helpless prey fall for
ward into the clear pool, which grew
crimson with the life e-blood dyeing its
purity.
After another searching glance, the !,
author of this foul deed of blacsness |
gathered up the still warm body of his !
victim, and carrying it to a crevice, or |
natural niche in the cliff not far away, |
thrust it in, and rolled some heavy stones !
to close the aperture and hide his !
murderous work from human ken; then, |
going to the mule his companion had !
but lately ridden, he removed two
weighty bags of leather that were par
italy concealed under the saddle and
placed them under the skirts of his own.
Avarice had prompted the atrOcious
act.
Again approaching the spring, he
carefully washed his hands under the
slender, falling stream, and then re-
moved his wide -brimmed hat, as the
other had done, and bent to drink. As
he regained his upright position his face
was turned full toward me. l gazed,
spellbound with astonished awe. II
10as h3 face Of the man o0ho no1O slept at
nsy side!
l bent my closest scrutiny upon him,
thinking it might be a>trick of the i'm
agination; buta careful inspection con-
vinced me of the identity. The face
was little Younger and more sun
Drowned than that of the man beside
me; but it was the self-same face. The
difference was only that which few
years time and little less exposure to
the weather would necessarily occasion.
l. q, g. .f,,1 -