, 1889-05-16
FRANCISCO.

From out Of the sands Of that sun
parclied desert which stretches ncross
our southwestern country the Zilh lie
JIM, Indian named, rises abruptly. For
many miles the mountain lifts n barrier
across tho plain Its precipitous sides,
SCARED and broken by crevices, or
rugged with fallen powders, render pas
saGe impossible to all but the naked saw
agcs who have found there n home.
In these solitudcs n fragment of tho
Navajo Indian tribe, under the leader
ship Of morose old Francisco, have for
n long while INDUCED their savage in
stincts. And while tho arm of the law
Is too strong for them to make open war
fare, little p~rovocation Is needed TO in
cite them to mischief unless detection
and punishment hang imminent
Here and there in the tortuous fast
nesses n spring bubbles from the rocks,
and along the water, before 1t sinks into
the sand. is found luxuriant pasturage
for the herds Of Indian ponies.
Midway In its extent tho mountain Is
broken by n narrow pass through which
meandcr IN Indian trail 1t was just
here that several months ago mn after-
noon sun was scorchlng n party of young
surveyors They had been riding all
day across tho dusty plain and wero
eagerly looking now for tho water Mt the
foot Of the mountain. A score of weary
pack animals, with dropping heads and
long ears Tapping, were picking their
way carefully over the stony trail while
near them rode old Hnmlin, the Mormon
packer, with his two Mexican a~ssistants;
behind these followed in single file the
young men Of the corps.
The ringing rack Of n drivers whip
now and then anne cchoing Jack from
the cliffs along with the .unintelligible
jarEon Of n Mexican urging on tho tired
mules. The tinkle-tinklo of tho lead
mares bell moved slowly on: tho dust
rose in clouds from fourscorc feet; the
sun poured down between tho narrow
walls. and as yet no sign of water had
been seen.
n youth named Jim impatiently pushed
ahead in his eager search. He had not
gone far when ho sighted an Indian boy
riding leisurcly through tho pass. All,
there was ono who could tell of the COW
eted spring. Pricking tis horse he hur-
ried 10 overtake the little savage. The
boy reused up at tho sound of ~galloping
hoofs. and seeing n white man following
so fast. without pausing to question his
intent, lashcd the shaggy pony to the
top of its speed.
Hold on, thcrel Hold onI" Jim called
to him, but if his voice reached the
frightened younGstcr he gave 1t no heed,
unless to urge his pony tho faster. Then
n freakish thought crossed tho young
mans mind, and squirting his horse wild
ly along the trail he began to utter war
whoops and shrieks that might have
startled old Francisco himself, had he
been ear.
The nimble pony was making good
speed, but tho little savage, fearing to DO
caught and scalped, thought tho noun
tain safer than tho saddle. Without
stopping his pony he sprang lightly to
the ground, raj up tho hillside and dis
appeared in tho bowlders at the foot of
the cliff.
Jim could scarcely keep his saddle
with laughter for n few moments; then
he rode along the trail to where the little
fellow had disappeared and called to him
10 come down, that he was n good white
man and wanted water. But ho might
~ "Oll lAllltu u III luck TuDDlL
The pony checked his speed when tho
rider left him. but still eluded the young
mans efforts to turn him back In the
narrow pass. Tho pack train came up,
and the wild animal scurrled ahead Of 1t
until the pass had widened into the val
ley. There he was turned and sent
prancinS back toward the mountain.
But the pervcrso little animal instead
of returning insisted now upon following
the train. Again and again the boys
dashed ut lin. and away he would go
for n moments; but presently his heels
would fly into the afr and back he would
come, frisking impishly, and through
the rest of the afternoon followed at n
distance.
a spring was found before Sunset, and
camp was pitched for tho night by the
side of the water. The animals were
turned loose TO Craze. The weary men
dropped upon the ground, while the
cook busted himself preparing supper.
Presently q shadow fell across the ground
where we lay, and looking up we OBJ
served n solitary Indian approaching, a
blanket thrown over his shoulders and a
rifle on his arm. 1t was so usual an oc-
currence that little reed was given him;
for everywhere they frequent our camps,
begging necessarily for whisky, tobacco
and food. Blu when he drew neal and
made no request, mol even acknowledged
our saiutation of How" we knew that
his vas another object, and that he was
Ill disposed.
Drawing his blanket round him, he
paused a little way off and stood as silent
as n specter. lie vas very tall and
straight, with finely chiseled features in
stead of the brutal face so common to
the Indian. As he posed there in the
twilight, his picturesque garment draping
about him. with rifle in hand and the