Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-11-17

on him. We had not walked an hour
before he expressed wish to make a
short halt.
The heat was sntfocating, and the sun.
which was we'll up in the heayens, sent
down Il flood of red hot, white hot,
scorchlng radiance.
There don't seem to be bit of
shade.' said Riley, gloomily. as he
crawled by the protecting branches Of
a sage brush. Not Bit
You didn't expect treesr
We'll, no.
He was pulling at his caEteen, taking
down big gnlrs Of water, and mis- thirst
was growing.
BE chary with that water remon
STRAIT, d E; you'll be out before you know
it.
oh, that's all right and he took an
other.
He was very white about the face.
Yon have seen hot iron applied to
the flesh, have you not, and the scar
that rose after the application? His
face showed that whiteness. There was
curious glitter about his eyes. They
were generally bright, but under the
fierce glare they looked more gray. A
queer light shone in them, and they
danced as If mirthful thoughts were
lurking ia his brain. He was pluckins
nervously ut :he miserable sage brush,
crushing it by the handful aud throw.
ING 1t away from him with jeering
laugh.
Now and then he picked up'a pebble
and hurled it. Come, s1i.l ], we must
start. Every moment the day is get.
ting hotter. and we had better rush on
for Salton at once.
The sand was not baking hot and the
reflection Of the sun from Its shifting,
heaying bosom was exceedingly pain.
full.
burned the end of a stick and
rubbed the charcoal under Riley's eyes,
He submitted to the operation grace
fully and paid me a trihing compli-
ment upon my skill as an optical art
ist.
Still he was pulling at his canteen,
and could tell by the gurgle that 1t
was low.
Riley, you are at the bottom Of the
thing
Yes, curse IT.. he said fercrly.
We stumbled along for few rods,
when he turned savagely on me.
Would you let me die of thirst when
you have full canteen2'
No; but you haye been imprudent
and selfish, and you deserve to suffer-
You lie, you ugly brute!'
Look here. AM not gong to stand
being called names, and you had better
nurse your speech.
'Ha, liza I he shouted, you object to
being called ngly. You're the ugliest
man in Chuckawalla. Ha, hat and
his demoniacal laugh reverberated over
the desert, and to ada to its grotesqne
ness be executed fantastic dance.
The man was going mad, stark. star
ing mad.
Give me some water / be asked sui
lenly.
I put the canteen to his lips suf
fic,ently long to moisten them ard
dragged 1t away.
He made dash for the flask, but |
beat his hands down.
He looked as if he would make rush
at me and obtain the canteen. l knew
what it would soou be--a fight, and a
desperate one. for the water. Sup
posing now said to myself, 4 give
the fellow all the water he wants. he'll
take it at a gulp. and then therelI be
two dead men. With care and patience
we may pull through
Ahead of us WAS Il low range OF hills.
It is the outcrorping of the divide that
separates the Mojaye and Colorado des-
erts.
Well get some shade there, Riley, |
said, pointing to the hills, and perhaps
a cactus
That is so,' he answered reasonably.
sand from there we can see the sea-
His mind had not left HIM. Perhaps
after all he wa, sane.
Let lis push on
I shall never forget the walk. Our
bodies were dry-actually crack1ng
with heat. Eve could have persTired
We would have been more comfortable
and safer.
My tongue was getting swollen. 1t
grew thick down the gnllet at first, and
it felt az if it intended to close the orr
fee. So choked WAS my throat that |
b. e;,thed through my nose.