The National tribune., 1892-01-07

in front, whom they religiously followed
and who were more excited, apparently
than on the preceding afternoon. They had
not adyauc more than three miles when
upon entering sheltered little valley they
saw the two burros Dick had driven away
with him, their packs Of furs still properly
adjusted on their saddles, slowly walking
and cropping the dried grass on their way 10
the canyon This strange incident gave
fresh impetus and a new hope for the out
come Of their mission which ii was not IN
spircd with before, and they naturally
spurred their animals into lope as soon as
they reached the smooth interval They
did not attempt 10 catch the burros, know
Ing that the faithful creatures would so TO
their rude but comfortable quarters with
ont any interference, for these patient beasts,
like cats, become attached TO localities, ana
will never desert them voluntarily. Besides,
rs Boggs suggested TO his companions, their
arrival al home with their packs intact,
would inspire and encourage the wimmin
folks with hope, as their presence had al
ready inspired them. The valley was nearly
four miles wide, which they passed over in
three-guarters Of an hour, and when the
trail lelt il again il entered another rough,
rocky series of small canyons similar to
those they had encountered the day before.
BY noon, after a weary and difficult climb,
they came to a bench, in mining parlance
thai Is, i depression Of The strata, which had,
By some natural agency icons ago been cut
ont as ID were, of the side OF The mountain
near is summit, and their way now fol-
lowed the meanderings Of this
BREK OF MIGHTY PREcIPIcE,
whose wall rose perpeudicularly from its base
in the terrible gorge below in their dangerous
path more Than 1900 feet without break in
It's weuucr-ponshed face.
As they were cautiously approaching one OF
the most acute curves the narrow trail made
on the cd 20 of this dizzy shelf Of granite, the
hounds, seized by a sudden impulse, bounded
forward and were soon lost 10 sight around the
sharp turn. But they had evidently stopped
abruptly not a great distance beyond, where
their having became more turioBs than az any
time before during the tIip, seemingly, and
Increased iu dlstiHctneas rs the party advane-
ed fhe reverse of which would have been the
case were they still running the trail.
lu few moments Boggs and bis companions
too passed The projecting point Of the mount
aims side which bad hidden the hounds from
their view, where almost immediately the
trail br0aacucd out and ran through rela-
fiVpiy level plateau five or six hundred RODS
wide lts upper edge was friuged with dense
growth ul pine beyond which, but elevated 30
OF 40 iget was beautiful prairie, apparently
several square miles n eNtoHt
TIcy could now sec the dogs close TO the tim
ber rushing backwards and forwards in front
81 some dark object as yet und!scemibe!
Near hg It a horse NHaq quietly cropping the dried
grass b0ggs recognized the animal immcdi-
ately, Notwithstanding lbs great distance as the
Kentucky thoroughbred owned by Curtis, fa-
m0us ail over the region iur there was not an
other such horse I'D the Territory; he could not
be mistaken and the Others OF has party agreed
with hIm.
This discovery, Of course excited them all;
fOr n0E they felt assured that the mystery sur
rounding the fate Of the missing man would
probably soon be solved. Boggs aud the two
Americans broke into d quick iope the moment
tucy struck level ground leaving the Mexican
% come after them with the hurros at their
usHal gait ln les than quarter Of a mile they
came up 20 where the hounds were. and a sight
confronted them that almost made their
HAIR STAND on END,
old mountaiuecrs as they were! Drenched in
his own gore. aud tightly hound with a hair
lHriai to a stuHted Oall-saplng above the trail.
was the apparently liieless body OF Dick Curtis .
They recognized him more by his magnil-
cent physique and presence Of the horse, than
by hIs features. for his face was one mass of
blood which bad also trickied down his limbs
and formed in little pools on the brown sol at
his feet. Scarcely a rod distant, right on the
trail directly in front OF him, were the mangied
EemaIns oi an Indian woman, who had evil
IDENTIFY been literally torn into pieces by the
dogs 30 completely in shreds was she that
Boggs and his meu could not tell whether the
wolves had already been al work or not prOba-
bIy not, though or Dick would have shown signs
81 their visit too. Lying near her were a rude
flint knife, q broken bow aud an otter culver,
hall filled with arrows. The horse, who had
now come up neighing, 10 the party, was also
terribly wounded; the whole Of his right flank
having seemingly been torn By tie sharp claws
OF some wild animal!
While tt.e two Americans were coutempat-
Ing ln silence this horrid spectacle, half par
Hlyzed Ey iAe suddenucss OF the shock BOrCs
had ni-mounted and was cudcayOring 10 fu
out whether spark Of animation remained IN
The rigid form OF Cur.is; but alI Of them sup
posed BIN o. Doe dead. His heart Just moved
That Was alI that could De said As soan a.
that .aet WHs discovered they cut The latiat that
Two Americans commenced 10 chafe those poT-
lions Of 's limits where the cruel cord lad
SUNK deep into The flesh, TO restore the crcula.
ton. while Boggs pulling a flask Of brandy
IRON thc iuslde-pUckct oi his shirt, raised
Bicks bead pEled his teeth open witfa Bowie.
knlle ana poured q liberal portion Of thC
strong liquor down his throat. Ia a few sec
ondE The effect Was visible; the wounded mar
GAVE A COSvUIsIVE GASP.
and fall back moaningl Now they knew thai
Die was not extinct, and the Mexican. who \,
iLls SINE had arrived, Was ordered Dc make a Il +,
guHEly. a soit bed of Fiuc-uccdlrs covrre,
with blankets WAS Impr0vised upou which Dicl
wa rargiuy placed, aud Hs soon as some watr4
Nas heated l0is face was washed 10 learn AZ,
nature aud extent oi bis injuries His fac,
Was hacked all over as were his arms and legs
by TIE fnic tiut knife, an arrow had been q xe,
lhto hla shoulder which required the combined
strength Oi EpgE- and one Oi The other men 4
pull uuL IUi none OF bis wounds were uecrs
sailIF dangerous; loss OF lI0od and want q
nouraHmcut had more than ANYTHING else
brought him 80 low they were certain. how
ever but ipr tEcir timely arrival hc woul.
have sabn been dead. As close as Boggs coul,
approx mate ID, Dick must have been wiihou
anything % eat or drink Tor at least y hour.
presuming THAI The hounds bad started a.
home Immediately after he became insensib bf
aud they bad allied the squaw. aud suf,pos iu
that All bad occurred on lhc morning of tf
day they hHd arrived ut he cabin How mur
greater a length 81 time may have possiBl
ELAPSED, ih,y could only learn by comparin
notes with Curtis himself which of corIIse \
was unable h. furnish them vet: but tl,rr. ,,-a
no doubt THAI tic death of the woman Was m
NnrE - fHp fops