Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-11-15
Mechannow Frederick County, Maryland Thursday November 15 1885,

confess that these inuendoes re.
garding the possible character of Joe
somewhat dampered my spirits.
However, the rifles were furnished,
together with ample ammunition and a
lunch, and we started, Joe leading the
way. He took southerly course walk.
ing pretty fast and never looking back {,
and as he was always ten or dozan
steps in advance of ns, found ample
opportunity to repeat to Jack Fynes
the warning Of the grocer.
Jack laughed incredulously.
"What y said he--"that stupid look
ing fellow? Why. I'll venture he's rs
tame as poodle !"
$50 he appears to me but the gro.
Ger says there is no reading their char
acter. In any event, let's keep an eye
on him."
For several hours we strobe across
the prairie, Joe occasionally stopping
to point out IN elk in the distance and
explain what it was. In fact, he seems
so anxious to please US and fully earn
his money that my apprehensions grad
ually wore away.
We had probably travelled eight
miles, when we discerneu a dark line
ut the southern horizon, and Joe stop
ped, pointed to it, and simply said:
"Trees."
Then he marched on. with stately
tread and air of gravity which con-
trasted quite luIicrously with his
scant and grotesIue apparel.
When We first saw the line Of trees, it
appeared but couple miles distant,
but q level country deceiyes the eye as
to distances, and after travelling anoth e.
er hour, We discovered that the trees
were ut least five or six miles from the
point at which we had first caught IL
glimpse Of them.
1t was mid day when we reached
them, and We then found that they were
chiefly low cottonwood trees, and that
the ground on which they stood was
not so level as the treeless plain over
which we had passed, but was broken
up into little ridges and valleys, run.
ming In all directions.
Inquired Of Joe the extent Of the
grove, and his reply was:
"Halfmile mebbe."
Jack" said |, "are you not begin
ming to be thirsty p
"Yes; my mouth is as dry as a pow
dcrhorn," he replied
We had not thought Of bringing any
water with us, and during our long,
monotonous walk over the prairies We
had not come across the tiniest rivulet.
was very thirsty, and | dreaded
the thought of walking clear back to
the railroad without finding water.
"Joe,'l said, "is there any water
among the trees
"les, somewhere-not far, he repli.
ed, with Il sweeping wave of the hand,
as though to point in number OF dif.
ferent directions at once.
He evidently knew that there was
water in the wood, but did not know
the exact spot.
Jack, let's hunt for water the first
thing said.
'l'm with you,' he said. I'd rather
see a pint Of water just now than a
whole herd of butialoes. Wouldn't
mind the bufaloes afterward, though"
Our guide plunged into the thick
wood, and we followed, carefully e1-
ploring the valleys and ravines OH the
right anu left.
When We had gone hundred yards,
the Indian paused a moment, as # pom.
dering, and then said
ME call you whan find um."
lIurrying onward, he disappeared
among the bushes and trees, which
grew quite thick.
Jack and | continued to search on
our own account, he on the right and
on the left
In a deep little valley running off
toward the southeast | found what
seemed to haye been the bed Of a small
stream, and was so eager in pursuit
of water that | followed it up with III.
pid steps, and thoughtlessly lost sight
of Jack Fynes; who was prospecting in
another little valley.
AS I advanced noticed that the
earth was damp, and surmised that it
had recently soaked up the tender
stream of which | was in search.
At last | found a little water in the
bottom of the valley, but it was very
shallow, and | determined to follow it
to its source, and then call out to Jack,