The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-06-01
PART II.
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

CHAPTER I.-CONrINUED
Had the wanderer remained awak,
for another half-hour a strange sigh
would have met his eyes. Far away
on the extreme verge of the alkal
plain there rose up little spray o.
dust, very slight at first, and hardly t.
be distinguished from the mists of the
distance, but gradually growing
higher and broader until it formed q
solid, well-defned cloud. This CLOUD
continued to increase in size until i,
became 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 con.
<clusion that one of those great herds
of bisOns which Craze upon the prairie
land was approaching him. This was
obviously impossible in these arid
ayilds. AS the whirl of dust drew
nearer to the solitary bluff upon which
the two castaways were reposing, the
canvas-covered tits of wagons and the
figures of armed horsemen began to
show up through the haze, and the
apparition revealed itself as being a
great caravan upon its journey for the
west. But what caravan! When the
head of it had reached the base of
the mountains, the rear was not vet
visible on the horizon. Right
across the enormous plain stretched
the struggling array, wagons and
darts, men on horseback and men on
foot. Innumcrable women who stag
gered along under burdens, and chill
dren who toddled beside the wagons
or peeped out from under the white
coverings. This was evidently no or
binary party of immigrants, but rather
some nomad people who had been COM
PEELED from stress of circumstances to
seek themselves a new country. There
l,ose through the clear air confused
Gathering and rumbllng from this
great mass of humanity, with the
-crealing of wheels and the ncighing
horses. Loud as it was, it was not suf-
ficient 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 reach
the base of the bluff they halted and
held short council among themselves.
1.-The wells are to the right. my
brothers," said one, a hard-lipped,
clcan-shaven man with grizzly hair.
ITO the right of the Sierra Blanco-
SO we shall reach the Rio Grande, said
another.
''Fear not for water" cried a third.
@'He who could draw it from the rocks
will not now abandon His own chosen
people"
amen! Amenw responded the whole
party.
They were about to resume their
journey when one of the youngest and
keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation
and pointed up at the rugged crag
above them. From its summit there
futtered little wisp of pink, showing
up hard and bright against the gray
rocks behind. At the sight there was
a general refining up of horses and un-
singing Of guns, while fresh horsemen
came galloping up to reinforce the
vanguard. The word redskins was
on every lip.
''There can't be any number of In
juns here" said the elderly man who
appeared to be in command. 1--WE
have passed the Pawnees, and there
are no other tribes until we cross the
great mountains"
''Shall go forward and see, Brother
.Stangerson?" asked one of the band.
''And l." "And l." cried q dozen
voices.
Leave your horses below and we
will wait you here. the elder answered.
In a moment the young fellows had
'dismounted. fastened their horses, and
were ascending the precipitous slope
which led up to the object which had
excited their curiosity. They advanced
rapidly and noiselessly, with the con-
fidence and dexterity of practised
scouts The watchers from the plain
below could see them Hit from rock to
rock until their figures. stood out
against the skyline. The young man
who had first given the alarm was lead
ing them. Suddenly his followers saw
him throw up his hands, as though
overcome with establishment, and on
joining him they were affected in the
came way by the sight which met their
eyes
On the little plateau which crowned
the barren hill there stood q single
giant bowlder, and against this bowlder
there lay tall man, long-bearded and
Manufactured, but of an excessive thin
mess. His placid face and regular
breathing showed that he was fast
asleep. Beside him lay a little child.
with her round white arms encircling
his brown, sinewy neck, and her
golden-haired head resting upon the
breast of his velveteen tunic. Her rosy
aips were parted. showing the regular