Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-08-18


the last item of the supplies which he
was 10 take to the Great Cincll mine, Be-
side him, with shining ebony face. sat
Peter Brayton, whom Joe had just en-
gagged to serve as cook at the mining
camp. Peters mouth was flashing
ivory impartially at everything hunor-
ous'or otherwise that occurred within
his ken; millionaire might have en-
We'd his contentment, though all his
worldly goods were contained in q
flour sack tucked beneath the seat and
in a round pasteboard box held care
fully in his lap. In the box was his
most cherished pOssession-a thing at
that time an object of curiosity and in
variable disrespect in Arizona-;l high
silk hat, which, tempting fate through
ignorance, he was about to take with
llina 70 the camp in the Chiricahuas.
The clerk having filed black quart
bottle in accordance with directions
given, corked it, and brought it,
wrapped in "a piece OF gunny-saclS, to
the wagon. Joe laid the parcel care
fully among the bacon sides and -four
sacks behind him, then gathered up
the reins, halioed to the mules, and
was off for the desert trail.
Good lucl1l" called the clerk after
him Keep Your eye peeled for IN
juns. Word came in this morning that
some of the San Carlos Apaches are off
the reservation
At this fri andiy warning Joe shifted
coDtemptuously. The idea of any body
presuming to tell hia-twelve months
IN the country. and one of the owners
of the Great Cinch-anything about
Apaches! a
DESPITE heat and dust, the trip to the
station for supplies was looked on as a
pleasure excursion By Joe, a Missouri
boy. who liked nothing better than to
''whacll'' mules. The camp was long
days journey away, and he called and
cracked the whip often at his long-eared
.steeds 10 keep them to their pace. The
route lay through an arid PLAIN. its
baroness varied by scanty tufts OF
grama. tall sand-grass, scattered clumps
of mesquit and many cactuses and
yuccas-
Back Peto-to give Peter Brayton
his Usua and accepted title-was not
pleased with the appearance of the
country, which wds new in his expert
.cncc.
Its po' Ian, fur faclz, BOSS lie
commented. ''Nuthin' a CROWN but
Gem big pricllly things and a han'ful o.
grass. Pears like mighty fine l1entry
oher dar, dough- And he looked ap-
prOringly toward the southern horizon,
III which the mirage displayed beauti-
tul landscape of Watersheds, islands
and forests.
"Oh, over there!" said Joseph, grin
ming pcrfdiorsly, aside. That's Mire-
age lake, an the islan's where the or
.arges an cocoanuts grow. Hits close
bvsthe Great Cinch. Wen go a-sailin'
there some day"
This romantic statement led Pete to
ask more questions, in answer to which
Joe told his '.tenderfoot'' passenger
many astonishing things. for the truth
of which l should not like to be helc
responsible.
About an hour after noontime the
wagon descended the side of deeI
hollow winding through the desert
with dry water-course ut it's bottom
bordered by patches of tall brittle gras:
and two or three stunted cottonwo
trees. In the sandy channel, without
visible inlet or overflow, spread the
pool of muddy alkaline water known
Ccrundo Springs. Here the mules
were embarrassed, watered, and fec
with grain, and at little fire of sticks
and grass the two wayfarers cooked
theebacon, bread, and coffee which
served as their monday repast.
What's all dis talk agoin' bout In
iuuS, bose" asked Peter, as he smoked