The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1893-11-17
CHAPTER /.

A A%S ter thin, pen
MEa As etrating drizzle
.WnM.i fafs.1F on the driver
of the caravan.
To right and left of the highway
marshland and moorland. closed to the
west by sky of ever-deepening red
ness. and relieved here and there by
black clumps of stunted woodland.
Here and there peeped solitary farm
house, with outlying fields of sHampy
greenness. where lean and spectral
cattle were lugubriously grazing: and
ever and anon came a glimpse Of some
lonely lake or tarn. fringed all round
with thick sedges and dotted with
water lilies. The road was as desolate
as the prospect. with not living soul
upon it, far as the eye could see. To
all this, however. the driver of the
caravan paid little attention. owing
to the simple fact that he was fast
asleep.
He was reused by a sudden jolting
and swaying of the clumsy vehicle,
combined with sound of splashing
water. and. opening his eyes sleepily.
ne perceived that the gray mare had
turned aside from the center of the
road, and, having placidly entered a
stagnant pond on the roadside, was
floundering and struggling in the mud
thereof. with the caravan rocking be-
hind her At the same moment a
head was thrust round the back part
of the vehicle. and an angry voice eX-
claimed:
Tim. you scoundrel. where the
deuce are you driving to? Wake up.
or III break every bone in your skin. !"
Thus addressed. Tim woke himself
with an effort, and. looking round with
an insinuating smile. replied:
"Begorra. Master Charles, thought
it was an earthquake entirely. Come
out of that now Is it wanting to
drownd yourself YOU are? G-r-r-r! Sh!
IAisy now. aisy."
The latter portion of the above sem
tence was addressed to the mare,
which was at last persuaded to wade
out of the cool mud and return to the
dusty track. where she stood quivering
and painting. No sooner was the re-
turn to terra firma accomplished than
a light, agile figure descended the
steps at the back of the caravan. and
round to the front. An excited COLO
guy, angry on the one side. and apollo
getic on the other. ensued. and did not
cease, even when the driver. with a
flick of his whip, put the caravan
again in motion. while the other strobe
alongside on foot.
1t was just such caravan as may be
seen any summer day forming part of
the camp on an English common. with
the swart face of gypsy woman look
ling out at the door, and half a dozen
ragged imps and elves rolling on the
grass beneath: as may be observed,
smothered in wickerworl of all de-
scriptions. or glittering pots and pans,
moving from door to door in some
sleepy country town, guided by a
gloomy gentleman in a velveteen coat
and hare skin cap. and attended by a
brawny hussy also smothered in wick
erwork or pots and pans; as. further
more. may be deserted, forming part
of the procession of travelling circus,
and drawn by piebald horse which,
whenever q good pitch" is found. will
complete it's days labors by perform
ances on the ring. A caravan of the
good old English kind: with small win
.dows, ornamented by white muslin
curtains, with a chimney atop 70,
the smoke to come through from
the fire inside: with a door behind, or
.namented with a knocker, and only
lacking door plate to make it quite
complete: in short, a house on wheels
The driver, though rough enough
and red with sun and wind. had moth
ing in common with the ordinary
drivers of such vehicles. and. in poin'
,of fact. he was neither a gypsy nor {
travelling tinker nor a circus perform
er. Though it was summer time h
wore a large frieze coat, descending
almost to his heels. and on his head ;
wideawake hat-underneath which hi
aazy, beardless and somewhat sheep
ish face shone with indolent good hu
NOR. His companion. Master Charles
as he was called. bore still less resem
,blance to the Bohemians of Englisl
lanes and woodlands. He was /,
slight, handsome, fair-haired youn,
fellow. of two or three and twenty, il
the tweed attire of an ordinary sum
amer tourist. and every movement h
made, every word he spoke. implies
the gentleman born"
Presently. at signal from his mas
ter (such he was). Tim drew rel
again. BY this time the sun was sci
ting fiery red, far away to the west
and the thin drizzie was becomin
more persistent.
How far did they say it was t
.Pencroes?"
.'Ten miles, sor."
The mare is tired out, think. W
shall have to camp by the roadside"
"An right. Master Charles There
: q handy shelter beyant there wheT
you see the trees" I i,u added. pointin
r mn the road with his whip. The youn
IMAM looked in that direction. and saw