Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-08-26

hole was dry. These water holes are mol
living springs, you know, but merel!
basins that catch the water that drair
from hill and hold it. There was mol
much rain last winter, and the cvapora
ton had sucked from the ground the last
drop of moisture.
horses could not go another day without
water, and without the hoi ses-I would
not allow myself to think beyond that
| 81 got the horses aud struck Off across
the desert again. There was a line OIL
mountains twenty-five miles away, and
expected to find water in some of the
cannous. Tho horses began to groau
after bit. 1 never heard as pitiful Q
sound before, and 1 hope it is the last
time l ever hear it.
"Then one of the horses held back.
tried to lead him, but he dropped to his
| knees and then lay over on his side.
was terrified, but worked and got him
up. A hundred yards further on tho
other horse lay down. So it went.
Then night came, but did not dare to
stop. There was no question of grit at
| all, only knew that 1t was either push
on or lie down and die. l reached the
mountains before daybrcak, but could
find no water. When the sun came up
could not travel, for the heat made Inc
so dizzy that could not walk. lay
under n bush all day
"God, how / wanted water; just a
spoonful, IL drop. Several times during
the day tried to travel, but could not,
for the desert aud the sky whirlcd before
me, and down Id 20. About shutdown
blood began to ooze from the nostrils of
one of the horses, and he soon died
Then the other one went the same way,
and l was alone in the desert
Fortunately, the lay of the land was
familiar to me. knew the CHA River
was not more than forty miles from me,
and as had travelled nearly that far from
Van Horn, determined to make the
river. If l went back to him without
water l knew it would be all up with
both of both. He might live until got
help. So away went: my head was
light, and things swan before INC, but
made good progress. l removed every
stitch of my clothing, with the exception
of my shoes, and started out. | did not
stop one moment, but kept right on. |
did not think of getting tired. was
crazy for water. 1t was two o'clock in
the morning when reached the river.
drank and thanked God. 1t was the
sweetest water that ever touched nv lips.
''Aftcr drinking all dared, though |
felt rs if could drink the river dry,
put on my clothes, filled my cantccn, and
started for ranch house little way up
the river. 1t belonged to a Mexican. I
asked him for the use of horses and
a wagon to go for Van Horn. He told
me that his horses were not tit for the
trip, that they would die before they
had gone half way, but that there was
ianch about sight miles further on, and
the man there might assist me.
81 ran as fast as L could, for l knew
that every moment counted. The fellow
would not DO anything, but pointed out
another ranch house about three miles
up the road, and told me that he thought
the Mexicans living there would help me.
| saw that this man, after hearing about
Van Horn was sure he was dead, but did
not like to tell me so.
"When they heard my story at this
last place, however, they ut once hitcned
two mules to a wagon and also sadded
two horses. Two of us rode the ami.
mails while one drove the mules attached
to the wagon. 1t was the fifth day after
l left Van Horn. We started IN the
morning and reached the wagon at
o'clock. Oh, the luxury of that ride 1t
was hot and dusty, and my horses gait
was not the easiest in the world, but the
awful thirst was not there and l was not
alone. AS we rode over Il patch had
traversed afoot the day before it seemed
impossible that l had been SO long aud
suffered so much.
evan Horn was not there. On the
wagon seat were two notes written BY
Van Horn. One was addressed to me,
stating that he had come to the con-
cluson that had persisted and that he
had decided to try to reach the last
place where he had got water. The
other one directed what should be
done with the wagon. One of the
Mexicans stayed with the wagon. With
the other 1 took up Van Horns
trail. For twelve miles we followed it
without finding any trace but his foot
prints in the sand. 1t was awful. Unless
Van Horn had reached water he had been
without anything to drink for five days.
| dreaded TO look ahead, lest / should
see him dead there. At last we found
his blanket. Fifteen miles further ON
night overlook US. We did not dare 20
on for fear of losing the trail The moon
rose in couple of hours and we pushed
on. We did not speak much as we went
along. My mind was full of my unfor-
tunate partner, and the Mexican respected
my silence.
ave were plodding along at 2 o clock
In the morning when I heard noise.
1t sounded like the report of rifle away
oil. fired two shots from my revolver
and an answering shot came back, and I
heard bullet whistle over onr heads.
1--WE found Van Horn lying in an
arroyo under mesquite bush. When |
reached him he whispered: oh, God,
did not expect to see you alive; /
thought you were dead lie asked for
water. gave him little at time. 1
b,,,I g.