The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-09-24

terriDle dust storm any OF us had ever
known on the plains was upon US 1t
was useless to seek for shelter-use-
less to move. So. for two or thrae
hours we lay fiat on the ground In
our blankets the wind occasionally
rolling us over and sitting sand into
our clothing down our backs into
our eyes and mouths and nostrils.
When the storm abated bit we
gathered ourselves together and took
our bearings The tent was gone.
but the overturned wagon was close
by. and to it was hitched our horses.
very much frightened. but unable to
break loose. OF our miscellaneous
possessions there was nothing so far
as we could find in the dark not
literally buried in the sand Finding
1t OF no use to search for anything
and being unable to sleep, the old
man. Joslin and sat in the wagon
and held an experience meeting.
Day broke and the boys struggled into
camp Utterly worn out with jaded
ponies The cattle had stampeded
with the storm and there wasn't
hoof- mark to show which direction
they had taken, II was out OF all
reason to suppose they had taken any
thing but northerli direction. how
ever on account OF the heavy south
wind. So leaving Joslin to cook for
the other boys. the old man and I
started out confident OF Overtaking
tho missing herd before nightfall.
He had failed however to take
into consideration the speed OF the
thoroughly frightened cattle and
though we occasionally ran across
the carcass of calf or yearling
trampled to death by the others in
their flight not live animal did we
see that day.
That night we camped on the open
prairie without blanket and with
only a bit of bareback to eat. The
horses were almost worn out and
there was nothing for them to eat or
drink.
In the morning we rose early. tight
ened our belts saddled up and pro-
ceeded northward again. All around
us was level prairie. covered with
dust which arose in little clouds at
every step OF our weary horses AS
the day advanced the heat grew more
and moro intense. The white dust
filed our mouths and nostrils
and made a dirty coating on
our sweaty faces Our little supply
OF whisky gave out early and still no
sight of water or OF the stampeded
herd.
We stopped talking after awhile
and sat listless in our saddles our
mouths open. to try and cool our
parched tongues And still the pitt
less sun beat upon US scorchipgly the
dust rose.and enveloped us in a cloud.
and the end of our search seemed no
nearer.
1t must have been about o'clock
in the afternoon when l was suddenly
aroused from the half nap into which
had fallen by an exclamation from
Merrick.
There only few rods before US.
rising out OF the level plain. was a
mass OF rock not very large but still
OF sufficient dimensions to afford our
selves and our animals the shelter we
needed. In less time than it takes TO
relate it we had unsaddled hobbled
our horses and cast ourselves in the
grateful shadow OF the rock to sleep
tho sleep begotten of terrible heat and
| utter fatigue.
had been asleep-perhaps dead
would be better word-for perhaps
two hours, when the snorting and
stamping OF the horses brought me
suddenly TO sitting posture.
looked before me and shouted-or.
rather shrilly whispered--to the old
man. giving him vigorous blow with
my hand at the same time. He. too
sprang up his eyes and mouth OPEN
ing in wonder
A mist had gathered on the plain.
Before us rose and grew circle Of
rocky wooded hills. In the back
ground black. threatening storm
cloud came rolling over the hills and
vivid lightning flashed from it-but
the thunder was lacking. Then. as
we looked and rubbed our eyes. forth
from the dusty plain, almost at our
feet a sheet of clear blue water rose,
and spreading covered the space be-
tween us and the hills,
Old Merrick grabbed my arm.
"Mirage!" he gasped. but amt it
like that lake in the hills where we
looked for Harney's boys9"
The horses struggled with their
hobbies and we caught Thorn and held
their lariats.
The lake was strangely still now.
From its edges inward it began to
grow calm and CLASSY. and presently
a sheet OF clear crystal ice covered
1t to the CENTER Then the storm
cloud back of the hills closed in upon
the scene before us. A few feathery
flakes OF snow fell slowly at first
then faster and faster they came. un-
til the frozen lake stood out broad
expanse of pure white amid the rocks
and trees and shrubs OF the partially
spow-shrouded hills
Suddenly Merrick shrieked and
again clutched my arm. Good God!
Sandy look!"
Out OF wooded canyon on the
right rode band OF men. Fascinated.
/ counted them ms they filed down