Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-11-22


for some time, but nature proved to be
and three nights he had allowed him
self neither rest nor repose Slowly the
e! clils dropped over the tired eyes,
and the head sunk lower and lower
upon the breast until the mans .griz-
Zled beard was mixed with the gold
tresses of the his companion, and both
slept the same deep and dreamless
slumber.
Had the wandarer remain ID awake
for anotaher half hour strange sight
would have met his eyes. Far away
on the extreme verge Of the alkali plain
there rose up little spiay of dust,
very slight at first, and hardly to be
distinguished from the mists Of the dis
lance, but gradually growing higher
and broader uneil it formed Il well de-
fined cloud. This cloud continued to
increase i'll size until it becl ne evident
that it could only be raised by a great
multitude of moving creatures. In
more fertile spots the observer would
have come to the conclusion that one
of those great herds of bisons which
Craze unon the prairie land was ap.
preaching him. This was obviously i'm
possible in these arid wills. AS the
whirl Of dust drew nearer TO the soil
tary bluff upon which the two casta-
ways were reposing, the elnyas-cov-
cred Tits of wagons and the figures of
armed horSemen began to show up
through the haze. and the apparition
revealed itself as being II goat caravan
upon its journey for the West. But
what a caravan! When the head of it
reached the base of the mountains the
rear was not yet visible on the horizon.
Right across the cnomols plain
stretched the struggling array. wagons
and carts. men OH horseback. and men
on foot Innumerable women, who
staggered along under burdens, and
children who toddled beside the wag-
ons or peepcd from under the white
coverings. This was evidently no Or
binary party of immigrants, but rather
some nomad people who had been COM
PEELED by stress Of circumstances to
seek themselves a new country. There
rose through the clear air a confused
Gathering and rumbling from this great
mass of humanity, with the creaking of
wheels and the neighing horses. Loud
as it was. it was not sufficient to rouse
the two tired wayfarers above them.
At the head of the column there rode
a score or more of grave, iron-faced
men, clad in somber homespun gar
ments. and armed with rifles. On
reaching the base Of the bluff they
halted and held a short council among
themselves.
"The wells are to the right, my
brothers," said one. hard-lipped,
clean-shaven man with grizzled hair.
'"ro the right of the Sierra Blanco-
so we shall reach the Rio Grande,'
said another.
Gear not for WATER cried third.
"He who could draw it from the rocks
will not now abandon his chosen peo-
ple."
amen. Amenv', responded the whole
party.
They were about to resume their
Journey when one Of the youngest ana
keenest-eycl uttered an exclamation
and pointed up to the rugged crag
above them. From its summit there
fluttered Il little whisp Of pink, show
ing up hard and bright against the
gray rocks behind. At the sight there
was general refining up OF horses ana
,lnslinging of guns, while fresh morse
men came galloping up to reinforce tne
vanguard. The word Redskins was
on every lip.
"There can't be any number of In
1uns here" said the eldel man VINO
appeared to be in command. I'VE nave
passcd the Pawnees. and there are no
other tribes until we cross til? great
mountains"
..Shall / 20 forward and see, Broth
err Strangerson? asked one OF the
band.
voices.
Leave your horses below and we
will await you here" the Elder answer
ed. In IA moment the young fellows
had lismounted, fastened their horses
and were ascending the preclpltous
slope which led up to the object which
had excited their curiosity. they ad-
vanced rapidly and noiselessly y. with the
confidence and deSterity OF Lracticed
scouts. The watchers from the PLAIN
below could see them fit from rock 10
rock until their figures stood out
against the skyline. The young man
who had first given the alarm was
leading them. suddenly his followers
saw him throw up his hands. as though
overcome with astonishment. ana on
Joining him they were dlecteu III tAe
same way by the sight which met their
eyes.
On the little plateau which crowned
the barren hill there stood il single
giant boulder, and against this boulder
there lay a tall man. lons-beaued
and hard-featured, but of an excessive
thinness. His placid face and regular
breathing showed that he was fast
asleep. Beside him lay Il little child,
with her round white arms encircling
his brown. sinewy neck, and her gold
en-haircd head resting upon the breast
of his velvctccn TUNE. Her rosy lips
We're parted. showing tie regular line
Of Snow-whitc teeth within. and play
full srlile played over her infantile fea-
lures Her plump little white legs.
terminating in White socks and neat
shoes. With shining bu;'llcs, offered a
strange contrast to the long, shrivclled
members of her companion. On the
ledge of the rock above the strange
couple there stood three solemn luz
yards. who. ut the sight Of the new
corners. uttered r;lucous screams OF
disappointment and Tapped snllenly
away.
Tho cries or the foul birds awoke the