San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1890-05-29

q ufeliko smile, rs II IN hiSWof W tho fo-
diant queen of tho siy, who seemed 70
be smiling, too. as she looked stcadfastiy
Gown upon tho living and tho dead.
The mother forthwith proceeded to ar
cange the spreads upon tho child, tucking
them and smoothing them down rs II she
were only putting her little one 10 bed'
although, while heard no sob nor any
expression Of grief, could see that her
breast was heaving with sorrow and her
face was visited by tears.
The two now lnelt on either side, kiss
Ing their darling many times, and weep
ing over her. though trying apparently
TO comfort one another In their wretch
edness, II perchance there might come IN
their hearts calm like that with which
tho moon was still sending down her
beams to illumine tho fearful scene.
Then, laying hold Of the blanket, they
carried their darling to the grave, and by
the aid Of the bride reins let the precious
burden down into the place which they
had 30 carefully prepared. Green boughs
were scattered over her until they COW
cred the beautiful form many inches
deep, and then the clods were gently re-
placed, and little mound was heaped,
and the child, transferred from her moth
er's bosom, was sleeping ut last In the
bosom Of that greater mothcr-Earth.
The two sad mourncrs knelt again beside
the grnye and seemed to be engaged In
prayer, lifting their faces now and then
to tho sky, as II In its infinite clear depths
they saw the future hopes.
All this-though still thought 1t un-
real-had awakened in me the keenest
interest and sympathy. But my atten-
ton was now suddenly diverted to line
of figures In the distance, somewhat be-
yond the spot where | had seen the
wagon when first awoke. These werc
horsemen, who came sweeping on ut u
rapid pace, as if engaged In eager pur-
suit. From the manner In which they
rode knew they were Indians.
Ah! saw it all now, and understood
why these spectral visitors had so often
looked bnck 30 apprehensively in the di-
rcction from which they had approached.
These pilgrims across the plains had seen
signs OF savages. and had used the night
to push on beyond their reach, If haply
they might bury their dead In peace and
find safety for themselves. But the foe
hnd discovered their trail and followed
them, bent on massacre.
laid my hand instinctively on my
rife under the edge Of my blanket. that
| might join in the defense, and was
about to cry out In warning Of the dan
ger saw approaching, but instantly be-
thought myself that this was unreality,
mere vision, calling for no practical
action, and l might better let these
shadows work out their tragedy to the
end. / again restrained tho dog, who
seemed agitated, whether because he
saw what was seeing or out Of sympa-
thy with my emotion--l know not
which.
The two Mt the grave seemed uncon-
scious Of the threatened danger until
their enemies were within hundred
yards, when the man sprang up and
lifted the woman also to her feet. They
turned toward the wagon, MS If to gain
its shelter and secure weapons for de-
fence. 1t was too late. saw flashes of
fire and also flight Of arrows, still
without sound, however, to break the
calm Of the night.
Both the man and woman staggered rs
if wounded. They stopped and turned
face to face, throwing their arms about
each other, as If realizing That this was
their last embrace. Another volley, and
still clinging to each other In the agony
of death, they fell together upon the
grave of their child.
The Indians were not long III COM
pleting their work. Then catching the
horses and harnessing them into the
wagon they hastened away, rs though
themselves in fear Of pursuit watched
them until they disappeared, and then
was alone with my thoughts and the
brilliant night.
realized TINT had seen vision, and,
although l turned myself resolutely to
rest, my sleep for the remainder Of the
night was htful and disturbed. When
finally | awakened again the sun had
risen, and under the influence Of that
great dispeller Of illusions. and in spite
of the vividncss Of the nights experience,
began to think that, utter all, ! might
have been only dreaming; especially
when saw that the space whcre l had
seen tho burial and the tragedy that fol
lowed was not open and clear. but over
grown with brush and young trees.
Nevertheless, yielding to curiosity OF
which was meanwhile almost ashamed,
soon made my way into tho bushes.
Parting these with my hands as l went
forward. and scanning the ground close
", | shortly experienced q new shock OF
surprise; for there, in tho exact spot
marked by the night scene, was little
mound, and over it were the remains OF
two skeletons.
And now for q retrospective fact
which gave TO this weird experience OF
the night personal significance. While
was yet a lad in my teens my brother,
twenty years older, had taken his young
wife and only child and set ont to cross
the plains in pursuit Of fortune. The
mails had brought home tidings Of their
Journey up TO a certain point. Beyond
this all trace was lost. and We never
heard Of them again.
I have not been able TO account satis-
factorily for what Ehave related Was
this an indubitable intimatiOn vouch-
safed 10 me from another world as to the
fate Of my relatives, Was II impossible
that should have this vision elsewhere:
And IL this Is the case, then vhyi Had
nature photographed these tragic scenes
and preserved their rejection, 10 Ieppo-
duce them for an eye that was fitted BY
some occult law q sympathy 20 behold
Let the savants answer II they can-l
cannot.-Edward b. Payne In True Flag.