The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-04-20

AnaAE LIS AtuAH lI4lAAs ana l'AAAi,-oA +iie~
the darkness Of the east on his way TO
ihe settlement
Tie storm had steadily increased in
violence, though each stage seemed the
limit Of its fury. The cold grew ever
hiiteref. the night was almost upon Us,
aud the snow filed the air, aud we could
sec but q few rod many direction; but
our only resource was TO press on, out on
the prairie, wrapped in madly swiriins
lleuds Of SLOW. But We were all West
eru bora, and not only knew our danger.
bat how 70 meet il as well. Our tan
was now entirely lost, and there was
nothing Jeff but 10 steerby the wind and
tie section lines. For q mile or more
we had been following fuuoW which
had been plowed along the section line,
and Ne must now leave that and bear TO
the southwest
Therefore. taking the wind (Which
we knew 10 be in the northwest) on our
right shoulder, we struck out in a
straight line for the place where we
knew the shaniy belonging to Moore
must be We ought TO come near
enough 10 it 10 see it as we passed; if
nof-well We didn't like TO think Of that.
IS our course must be made with the
greatest care, Moore drove, while Bailey
and took turns in rigidly keeping the
wind upon the right ear, and in walking
n the track behind. The track we
kept straight in this way, and increased
our ehaaces Of finding the house
We we're now moving in circle Of
half iisht. outside Of which, 4 hundred
feet away. was darkness Within this
half lisht all was distorted, fantastic. A
saee-bash, q clump of weeds. or iuft OF
grass assumed huge proportions, and
through the treacherous gloom looked
ike : barn or a stack Of hay in the far
ther reach of the eye. A bit Of shingle
not fifty feet from my eye looked so like
a cabin on the side Of distant swell
that ! called joyfully to my companions
that had found the house. 1t fright
ened me when. few steps further on,
ame TO the wind blown bit OF wood,
aud ny vision OF the house and the
snowy hill faded out into the depths Of
the storm. The SNOW few 50 III ckly
that we could not sec the ponies at times
n they labored heavily though the deep
snow. for We were on the unburned
prairie now, and the snow was mid-leg
deep. At intervals we would stop, and
20 As far as we dared TO the right and
le e., and STOPPING down, look under the
snow 10 discover the house. our course
since leaving the section line was so slow
and painful that il seemed as though we
had been travelling more than an hour.
and finally Moore pulled up and turned
70 me with s look OF grim resolution on
his face that told that we had arrived at
the same conclusion.
- seagraves, we're in for it. We've
passed the shanty without seeing II.
That's about my idea And more
than that i Twill not 90 asingle step farther
in that direction. There is nothing but
r trackless prairie out there. Our only
hepe now is to turn to the southeast and
Keep going till we strike the settlement
II the ponies keep up, we're all right.
That's about the size Of II, if we've
gone by the shauty, for my claim is
about the last one in the township, aud
the next Is unsurveyed. So we'd better
turn aud strike for TIE Norwegian settle
meat south of here. But where's
Baileyf'
True enough ! sent my eye around
the circle: he WAS not in sight While
we were talking he had lost sight of US,
asd making detour 10 see the house II
possible, might be ahead or behind US,
we could not tell. We looked at each
other an instant in fear. then halloed in
ehurus. No reply. II he were to the
south. his cries could not reach US; and
I II To the north, ours could not reach
him. Again we shouted and again lis
tened. No reply, though we strained
( our ears in the steady ceaseiess roar and
scream Of the storm. For the first time
/ ! sEAs afraid. In such a ferocious tenn
pest and in such deadly cold imam could
no. live long We took turns in shout
ing. but no reply came. till a lull In the
wiad not only left the air clearer, but
sofiened the tnmult in the err, and we
heard a faint cry in the distance
"lfelpin Il seemed so far of that II
had no more force than the CRY OF q
kitten. We could not tell whether il
was on the earth or in the sky, or whether
we imagined il. but soon il came again.
lies 81 cur left said Moore, pulling
the horses about, and following the cry.
/ Al every few rods we would stop and
shout. and listen for his cry. which grew
each moment stronger. But he was not
approaching US; he was waiting for u;
10 come 10 him Soon we were within
speaking distance, and he was directing
Us where 70 find him 1t WAS strang'
that he did not approach us. We thought
he must have met with some accident
when suddenly he stood beside US. Witt
q single word, "FOllow me-" he started
OF. the horses following him. We couls
not see him, but we knew he was on thu
track OF something. Soon we came upol
a small barn heavily banked with snow
and with hoarse cheers we shook hand
/. and yelled Il told you sou We has
hit the barn, and the house was near b,
and easily reached
Without stopping 10 talk of our goo'
luck. we sprSng out. and in few mo
ments the ponies were safe from the biz
zard. their noses deep in some hay ans
oats. After rubbing the ice and snov
from their coats. and starting the circu
lafion anew in their stiff and weary legs
we gathered our robes and things in on
arms and made for the house, which W
reached in a short, breathless run.
Il was a frame building, Is by "a
which Moore had erected for summe
I residence mere shell of thing. witt
only one thickness Of boards on tn
sides. through which the snow drifted
and as there was no banking, the col
air also STRAINED up through the floor
but relatively it was a palace. 1t wa
shelter and light. for there was STOW
and some kindiing. and a box of coal
We need not freeze for one night any
way. We soon had fire roaring in tn
rusty stove, and light in an unwashe'
= tubular lantern We also found collie
: can. and soon had eau Of coffee slz
cling on the stove. Thcn we took tn
time 10 ask Bei ey about his adventure
II seems that in making detour he hai
caught a glimpse OF the barn, an
: though the storm the next moment GOV
E cred il, yet he determined TO push on
little farther and mike sure of il
luckily he did not get quite out of cal
shot. and the whole ended fortunately
but il was a big risk to run. As OF
frozen mince pies began to warm u
E and the coffee TO send of fragrar
steam, Moore sang. e1ultantly,
-. - l....-fs nd ont doorz