The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-12-30

they are capable of. | have seen men
on long ride across the desert, when
they never opened their mouths to
make complaint, though their eyes
were sunkcn, their lips drawn into
CHASTITY expression, and their faces of
the color of the alliali around on the
plain. That is because men can get
used to it. It's different with horses,
cattle and dogs. You must be brutal
with them to make them understand
that they must go on. But when you
arc in desperate straits you will follow
the man who leads, without n groan
or murmur, because you know there
is nothing else to do.
but what started out to do was to
give yon one case in point. We were
ont in Colorado in those days raising
cattle. Winter came down upon us
that year with a rush. Our cattle be-
gan to die and we could do nothing for
them. We lost our bronchos, but it
made little difference, for they were of
no use to Us. man could not ride ten
feet from camp. When it did not snow
driving sleet flew on gale and cut n
mans face in ribbons. The dogs could
not sleep at night, it was so cold, and
often when the freezing air Weakened
me saw some poor fellow in the room
crouched down in his blankets, holding
his teeth together to keep from shout
ing out terrible oath
1T got along toward spring and we
were as helpless as ever, for the snow
began to soften in the day, hardening
with the chill of night, and anyone
who venturcd into it was inviting n
sure death in what was worse than
n quicksand. Provisions had run low
and VIC had all been hungry for Il long
time. The mems bones began to sticl,
out of their faces, and through their
skins, and NJ times there was Il strange
light in their eyes. But l never saw n
Drawer set of mcn-and they were a
rough lot. too
"'We'vc just got to stand it till it's
over was what every one said when
it did seem as if a bullet in the brain
would be better than fighting it out
to the end.
Zone day, when at last we began to
see light ahead something came stag
gering into our cabin and fell across
the floor near the stove. We picked it
up'and turned it over to look at it, 1t
was a man with beardless face, thin
lips and delicate nostrils. The man
couldn't have weighed hundred
pounds, he was SO wasted. We chafcd
him, tried to get something warm into
him and then rolled him up in warm
blankets. l was sitting by the stove
looking at his white face ut midnight
lie room was warm that night, and
the stove door was open SO that the
light fell on the starved sleeper, but
would not shut Off the light, for l
wanted to look Mt his face. 1t was n
y.,,. 4, 7 l.. =. =.
the plains. 1t must have been oval and
handsome before suffering ana cold
had drawn it out to thinneSs. Ills dark
lashes were long. and they lay far
down on his check, darker than the
terrible circle under his eyes. He was
more like Il woman than Il man, and 1
was gazing at him in pity when his
eyes opened slowly, with Il dark light
in them, and looked at me.
''What time is it?' he asked with a
faint smile.
Its after midnight I answered.
soothingly. Go to sleep again
Have you any whisky that you can
give me?' he asked
No; haven't had a drop in days
said
I'm sorry he answered, 4 think it
would do me good Then he sat up
among his blankets, giving Il start as
he looked around him
when did / get here? no asked
eagerly.
"'To-day,' said. You are well
come
Good" he said, in answer to nv
first sentence. Il was afraid had been
sick on your hands-that | had lost
time
No, you have only been here about
twelve hours | replied. Better go to
sleep. Yen look rs if you needed it,
Tou have mad Il worse time than we
have
"'No, am not going to sleep again.
he said. in Il tone of decision.
YOU'D BETTER said we will have
sick man on our hands You need
sleep before you can eat what we can
give you
i've got to get away from here to-
morrow he said, smiling confidently.
You can't do it. | said. 1t is no
use To try. You'll be dead man if
you do, before tomorrow night
"'Oh, l am going he answered,
quiet,y
Try TO get little more sleep.
then urged coaxingly, pretending to
humor him.
II can't he answered, frctfully.
81 begged him to try. and he turned
over in his blankets lie tossed for
awhile. Then he attempted TO be still.
feigning sleep. AT last he drew him
self up with jerk.
81 can't do it, he said, feverishlv.
tVhv don't Won c1eop xouxe,le, =