Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-26


then to Jack came an inspiration. "Bill 1!
Bill he cried "Don't leave me alone in
the Valley of Death. You're the angel to
lead me out againw
"Wall Walp Bill gave the very faint
est chuckle, "ter think l am arter the
fashion O the angelsw He struggled back
from the faintness that overpowered him.
After drinking some water he revived
enough to say, 'Jack, put what waters left
in our canteens, leave the kegs as a token
o our regard" with another faint chuckle,
San put the gold on the pack-horse."
1t was terrible strain to get that gold
on the horses back, and terrible effort
for the poor beast to carry it; but in des-
perate moments remarkable things are ac-
complished. And the moment was des-
perate.
For though Bill chuckled and tried to
be merry, his eyes gave meaning to the
man. Hurry, boy Hurry Or the wer-
table angel 'ull be arter us, hurryin' us
down that other valley. / wonder, eff he
comes, ken he recognize me as one O. his
heavenly band" He chuckled quite
heartily to himself, but made so little
sound that Jack did not hear it; for Bills
strength of his indomitable will.
All through the night they toiled, creep
ing at a snaiPs pace, every step strain,
every breath an agony. At dawn the
pack-horse fell-dead!
"Poor critterp' said Bill. "Arter all,
he hes big grave ter lie in. It's sort o
queer that a poor beast critter like that
hes grander place for his carcass, more
room ter turn in, nor king. It's what
they calls parody on life. Eth, Jack ?"
chuckling to himself. Both voice and
chuckle so faint that Jack could scarcely
hear sound.
They rested for an hour and then toiled
on. No other sound but the labored breath
ing of men and beasts, and at rare inter-
walls one of Bills faint chuckles and whis-
pers.
It's race, Jack, we're havin'. A race
with that other angel a-tryin' ter catch us
fer that other walleyp
AT sunset they passed the wagon guard
ing its skeletons.
Lets rest, jack" said Bill. "Here we
have company They tells a lot without
speakin' word. We hez made good time /;
eff we keeps it up we" And then Bill
tainted dead away
1t took some time to revive him, and
considerable of the precious water. There
was none for the horses. All Jack dared
give them was a wet rag, with which he
wiped out their parched mouths and nos
trils. His own sutferings were terrible, yet
he dare not take more than one sip The
few drops left meant the life-drops of that
old man, grown suddenly so dear to him
When the hour was over, Up, Jack, :"
said Bill " l can't hold out much longer,
an | can't leave YER in this orful valley.
Pm yer angel, yer know"
Chuckling even now. Even now en-
joying the joke. Now with death really
upon him.
Jacks head was so light, his arms so
weak, he could hardly help Bill to mount.
Keep up, boy Thar are years o life
afore yer. I'll see yer back to the Ian o
the livin' afore l iines that heavenly
band" whispered Bill, chuckling all the
time to himself
Blinded, dizzied, gasping for breath,
Jack staggered on. He did not see the
darker line of rising ground that in the
dawning had caught Bills bright eyes
looking ahead. He did not know they
had been steadily gaining higher ground.
He grew indifferent to everything but the
old man on that staggering beast. So in
different that when he stumbled and fell
to his knees he would have laid down and
died but for that old mans voice.
up, boy! l tell yer, up or ver'll
break my heart" How did Bill get
strength for so much voice? The wonder
came to Jacks dulled brain, as in obedi-
ence to that hoarse whisper he struggled
to his feet and staggered on.
cont On The race The race r'
Bills whisper, Bill's chuckle put new life
into the young fellow. Perhaps Bill
knew this. Perhaps those bright eyes saw
that at his words Jack pushed on in gal
liant little spurts. The sun was rising, the
air was better, the line marking vegetation
grew nearer, but Jacks agony was too
great to bear. He turned to Bill his
sightless eyes.
Let us sleep, Bill! The gold is safe"
Jack thought he had shouted the words,
but his voice never came beyond his lips.
No sound reached Bill.
cord he's dyin'," gasped the old man;
and then with a chuckle, {" Boy, 'ud yer
have less strength than ole Bill?'
The hoarse whisper stirred Jacks fail
ing pulses. He went blindly on, not see
ing, not hearing, guided somehow by a
| thin hand, whose touch he was too numb
to feel, until, as the day grew brighter,
they reached the water glittering in the
sun.
''Fish Lake." whispered Bill, q have
come back ter yer " Then he slipped to
the ground, dragging himself where, face
downward, Jack had fallen beside MS
dying horse.
Brave little chap. Never moan !
An called me an angel God bless himr'
And then he dragged himself to the edge
Of the lake, scooped some water in his hat,
crept back and bathed Jacks face, until
the means of returning consciousness
made him chuckle
"Billl Bill ~ cried Jack, his voice
growing stronger as his young lungs ex-
banded in pure air.
Here's your angel, l led you out safe,
Jack. But" chuckling, "the other angels
got tight grip on me. Goodbye, little
chap; | hev Civ yer fortin' but yel hez
give me Faith p The last word rang out
like a shout, the bony hands gripped
Jack, the bright eyes cleaned in their
caverns, and Bill fell bacl-dead ,-Nqja
Spencer, in Be!gracia.