The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-03-25

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HE BEGAN TO CALL ALOUD: BUT ONLY
THE FOREST ECHOES Knocked HIM.
birds answered him with harsh cries.
At length it was too dark to even try
and walk any farther. The little fellow,
frightened and weary, sank down at the
foot of great tree that seemed to lean
over him with an air of protection and
sympathy.
He would not cry. Uncle Phin said
that none of the Dales ever cried after
they were grown up, and he was Dale,
almost grown up. Two or three big
but then that was something that might
happen to most anybody at any time.
It could not be counted as crying.
As he sat there in the darkness, try
ing to be brave because he was Dale,
the sound of a peculiar, long drawn, far
away cry, caused him involuntarily to
look around; though, of course, he did
not expect to see any thing through the
darkness. He did see something, though.
and it was light. 1t was not bright.
clear light; but dim glow, jus; visible
between the tree-trunks, and evidently
at quite distance from where he sat.
The boys spirits rose with bound.
He dashed away the stealthy tear drops.
and sprang to his feet. Things were
coming out all right after all; for light
meant people, who. according to simple
hearted little Arthur's experience of the
world, would be kind to him. They
would probably invite him to stay to
supper, and show him the way to the
ark afterward. Then he would ask
them to help him and Uncle Phin get
the boat afioat, and his becoming lost
would turn out to be the very best kind
of thing that could have happened
after all.
While these thoughts passed through
his mind, the boy was making his way,
as rapidly as possible, through the woods
in the direction of the light, that grew
brighter and more distinct with each
step. He still carried his precious
book in one hand and the great bunch
of flowers that he had gathered in the
other. Suddenly he came to an abrupt
pause on the edge of a shallow ravine,
through which laughed and tumbled a
small brook. The sides of the ravine
were quite steep, and, almost at his
feet, the boy saw sight that filled him
with amazement.
About a glowing fire, occupying all
sorts of easy positions, were grouped
number of men and one boy. They
were ragged. dirty and unshaven. Their
clothes were made up of odds and ends.
Some of them were smoking short black
pipes; some were talking loudly, and
others lay perfectly still, as though
asleep. Two of the number seemed to
be preparing supper, for they were at
work about the fire, and were evidently
anxious regarding the contents of some
tin cans and several battered kettles.
At short distance from the fire were
two or three rude huts of poles and
branches.
Although Arthur did not know it at
the time, this was tramps' camp,
to which all these Migrants of So
ciety, who happened to be prowling
about that part of the country. focked
when night overlook them. Some
times one or more, who were tired of
tramping, and who had begged or stolen
a stock of provisions, would remain here
for several days. SO that, from early
spring until quite late in the autumn,
the camp was never without a greater or
less number of occupants.
Now, although Arthur had never had
any practical experience with tramps,
except to gaze curiously, from respect
full distance. at the few specimens he
had seen, he instinctively shrank from
making his presence known to the
rough-looking fellows gathered beneath
him. 1t was pleasant to see the cheer
full freight, to hear the sound of voices,
and to know that there were other
human beings besides himself in that
dark forest. It would also be very
pleasant to the hungry boy if he could
have some supper. Still, to venture
down among those men might prove
very unpleasant. So Arthur wisely de.
cided to bear his hungers as best he
might and study them from safe dis
lance, at least for awhile longer.
All at once, from some part of the
camp beyond the circle of freight,
came the same melancholy, long-drawn
cry that had first directed the boys
attention to this place. and he now rec
ognized it as the howl of a dog in dis
tress.
At the sound the largest and most
powerful of all the tramps. who had