The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-06-25
Hello, soldier!"
HJolln tn rn,,i0

"Hello to you"
"This is White Horse fordp"
Eyes"
"There is lone cottonwood to the
left and a large rock to the right?"
Cant you see that there is?'
@No; l have been blind for the last
year. These landmarks used to be-
here, but didn't know what changes
might have taken place"
rode closer to look into his eyes.
The lids were closed as if in sleep and
had blush appearance.
"The flame of coHard's gun did Ill"
he quietly observed as he dismounted.
"Will you lead me to the rock' All,
I'm all right now! Never mind tho
mule-he won't stray. Opposite me
on the other side is a dead cotton
wood, with one side of it blackcncd by
fire."
"Yes."
"Now look to the east, over the trail
running along the opposite bank, and
tell me if you see anybody"
"Ycs, do. About three miles up
is y man coming on horseback"
"Thank you; | am in time. Sorry
to bother you, but if you were blind
I'd do us much for you. AS soon as
you can make out tbs color of the
horse, tell me what it is"
at is bay" | answered him as the
hOrseman came nearer.
as he riding fast?"
"Ycs."
"Does he wear black felt SOM
brcro?"
NO; white one"
"Ah, that's good. Now, then, keep
quiet"
He stood behind rock with his rifle
in his hands and bent his head to the
east to listen. From the smile on his
face think he heard tho footsteps Of
the coming horse while yet mile
away. The river was only few yards
w;do at the point, with wagon road
running along the other bank east
and west. Only the one man was in
sight.
blind man.
"Yes, ut n gallop."
"Now he's passing the twin cotton-
woods"
Eyes"
ANoN Lc ilu llc CURVE NHClC lio
waters OF the spring run down?"
Yes"
"Now hos on the stretch to the
fordp"
"Yes."
"Bay horse, white felt sombrero,
long, black hair and bushy. black
whiskers?"
ayes"
"Good! can't miss him!"
Up went the rifle, pointed straight
at the dead cottonwood opposite. The
big rock hid us from the sight of the
flying horsemen as he drew nearer;
but he did not appear to be looking
around him. He was leaning forward
in his saddle and gazing straight
ahead. l did not realize the situation
until too late to interfere. Had been
told in plain words what the blind man
was there for / should not have put
forth q hand. lie would have turned
Oh me and killed me off hand had l
meddled. For two or three seconds
the rock hid tho horseman. Then he
shot out into plain view from the
western face. The blind man had
been holding his rifle to his face for
ten seconds. He could not see tho
sights, but it was the natural way.
His hearing served him as well as my
vision. On the instant that the rider
was in line opposite he fired, and shc
man threw up his arms, lurched right
and left, and finally pitched hcadlong
to the earth.
"Will you kindly see if he is deadpn
asked the blind man as he lowered his
rifle.
mounted and forded the stream.
The man lay on his back, arms out
stretched, and his hat thirty feet away.
His eyes were shut and his jaw falling.
From his right side the blood was pour
ing out on the sun-baked crust, while
his right hand clinched the barrel Of
his rifle with a death grip. rode
back and said that he was dead.
Thanks, thanks!7 replied the blind
man. "The boys routed him out above
this morning, and l was sure he would
pass this way"
"Who was he?"
"The coward who blinded me! Will
you please lead up my mulep All,
here he is! / can get along nicely
now. Good day to you, sir; and re-
peat that / am much obliged, very
much obliged, sir"
And he rode off to tho east and left
me sitting on my horse and staring
after him, and wondering if had