Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-04
LOST ON THE PLAINS.
The Horrible Torture of Dying from,
Thirst on the Prairies.

\ vast and interminable stretch of sand.
The sun, although his daily course was
nearly run, cast but few shadows over the
vast expanse of plain, II few sage brushes
and cactus being the only objects in sight
to relieve the dreary monotony of the
scene. Occasionally in the distance could
be seen low ridges or sand dunes, like
waves on the ocean of space. No trees,
no water, nothing to indicate that life was
possible on this terribleplain. But look
What is that object standing out in bold
relief, apparently on the very horizon
1t is moving, andpresently resumes shape
and form as 1t approaches. A man on
horseback What can be his purpose,
riding alone over this horrible desert
As he comes nearer it is apparent that
both horse and rider are exhausted. He
stops, stands up in his stirrups, shades
his eyes with his hands, and gaEes visit
fully over the vast eXpanse of alkali plain.
Nothing greets his vision, however and
his haggard features already reflect the
despair that is upon him. "No sign of
water, he moans, III husky voice. His
brain reefs, he swnys uneasily on his
horse, but RECEIVERS himself almost as with
superhumGn effort. For three days he
has been wandering over the dreary waste
with no trail to guide him, and with not
tree or shrub large enough to shelter
him from the schOrching rays of the sun
by day, and the howling of coyotes max
ing sleep to fearful thing to be indulg-
ed in at night. Lost, as the shipwrecked
mariner i'll mid ocean on his frail raft.
Lost, and with no succor possible.
He starts there before him he sees n
river and trees. Water and life He
stirs up his exhausted animal, his blood
flows more rapidly through his veins, and
several miles more are travelled. Alas
the beautiful vision was trick of his i'm
aginatiOu-a mirage of the desert. His
head dropped. He was consuming with
a horrible, burning thirst. His horse,
nearly as weak as the rider, stumbles and
ha!ts-with difficulty he regains his feet,
but the man lies on the ground still. Is
he dead? No, but his limbs have lost
their strength his scorching, parched
tongue whispers husllily, Water" He
becomes crazed he raves and tosses over
the hard sand, suffering the very torturee
Ct hell. After short time he becomes
calmer and dreams Of his beautiful home
in the east. He is at the curb of the well
at his fathers homestead. He has Just
ing water; eagerly lie puts it to his mouth
and quatls-hre. Again he raves and
rolls in bis agony.
The sun Ind gone down beyond the
horizon in blaze OF crimson glory, light.
ing the heavens for an hour afterwart
with lurid reflection as of some great
conhagratiod. Suddenly the light pales
and darkness at once takes its place. The
evening wind bears on it's wings a horri
bic sound. Nearer and nearer it comes
the dread howl of the coyote, the cowart
of the plains. A legion of them woult
not dare to attack that man in his strength
but now. The swapping, snarline
liends attack their victim. He makes II,
resistance; but short time elapses er,
the dread meal is finished. Smackine
their bloody chops, the horrible creS
stink otfond ALI still. The bright moon
with her mild, plying face, shines fa
over the illimitable waste, but there il
nothing to arrest her shadows save tn,
cactus and sage-brush and some bones.