The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-06-01
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BY A. CONAN DOYLE.
PART II.
CHAPTER L-CoNT1NUED.
81 A. CONAN DOYLE.


Had the wanderer remained awake
for another half-hour a strange sight
would have met his eyes. Far away
on the extreme verge of the alkali
plain there rose up a little spray of
dust. very slight at first, and hardly to
be distinguished from the mists of the
distance, but gradually growing
higher and broader until it formed a
solid. well-defined cloud. This cloud
continued to increase in size until it
became evident that it could only be
raised by 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
wilds. 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 a caravan! When the
head of it had reached the base of
the mountains, the rear was not yet
visible on the horizon. Right
across the enormous plain stretched
the struggling array, wagons and
darts, men on horseback and men on
foot. Innumerable women who stag
rered 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 new country. There
rose through the clear air 4 confused
gathering and rumbl1ng from this
great mass of humanity, with the
creaking of wheels and the neighing
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.
THE wells are to the right, my
brothers." said n one. hard-lipped,
clean-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! Amen 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
fiuttered 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 I'M
singing of guns. while fresh horsemen
came galloping up to reinforce the
vanguard. The word redskins was
on every lip.
iuns 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 a 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 mp to the object which had
excited their curiosity. They advanced
rapidly and noiselessly, with the con-
idence and dexterity of practised
scouts. The watchers from the plain
below could see them hit from rock to