The Red Cloud chief., 1894-01-19

OF bisons which Craze upon h 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 caravani When the
head Of Il had reached the base Of
the mountains, the real was not yet
visible on tho horizon. Right
across tho enormous plain stretched
the struggling array. wagons and
darts, men on horseback and men On
foot. 1nnumerable 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 o r
binary party Of immigrants, but rather
some nomad people who had heen com-
PEELED from stress of circumstances to
seek themselves q new country. There
rosc through the clear air . confused
Gathering and rumbling from this
great q Of humanity, with the
creaking Of wheels and the neighing
horses. Loud as It was, IL vas not suf-
ficient to rouse the two tired wayfarers
above them.
At the head Of the column there rode
n 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 q short council among themselves.
1.-THE wells are to the right, my
brothers." said n one, q hard-llpped.
c~lean-shaven maj with grizzly hair.
ITO the right Of the Sierra Blanco-
so we shall reach the Rio Grande," said
another.
"Fear not for water" cried Q third.
"He who could draw IL from tho rocks
will not now abandon His own chosen
people"
"Amenl Amen!" responded tho whole
party.
They were about to resume their
journey when one Of the youngest and
kcenest-eyed uttered an exclamation
and pointed up ut the rugged crag
above them. From its summit there
fiuttered a little wisp Of pink, showing
UP hard and bright against the gray
rocks behind. At the sight there was
q general refining up OF horses md un-
slingink OF guns, while fresh horsemen
came galloping up to reinforce tho
vanguard. Tho word redskins" was
OF every lip.
There can't be any number Of In
juns here" said the elderly nan who
appeared to he In command. 1--WE
have passed the Pawnees, and there
ore no other tribes until we cross the
great mountains"
"Shall l go forward and see, Brother
Stnngerson2" 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 q moment the yourg fellows had
dismounted, fastened their horses, and
we're ascending the precipitous slope
which led up to the object which had
excited their curiosity. They advanced
rapidly and noiselessly, with the con.
fdence and dexterity of practised
scouts. Tho 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 tho
same way by the sight which met their
eyes.
On the little platsau which crowned
the barren hill there stood q single
giant bowlder, and against this bowlder
there lay q tall man, long-bearded and
Manufactured, but Of an excessive thin
ness. 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. Tier rosy
lips were parted, showing the regular
line of snow-white teeth within, and q
playful smile played over her infantile
features. Her plump little white
legs, terminating In white socks, and
neat shoes with shining buckles,
offered a strange contrast to the long,
shriveled members Of her companion.
On the ledge of rock above this strange
couple there stood three solemn buzz
yards, wac, at the sight of the new
corners, uttered raucous screams ofdis-
appointment md tapped sullenly
away.
The cries Of the foul birds awoke the
two sleepers, who stared about them in
bewildermcnt. The man staggered TO
his feet and looked down upon the
plain which had been SO d~esolatc when
sleep had overtaken him, and which
was now traversed by this enormous
body of men and of beasts. His face
assumed an expression of i~ncrcdulity
as he gazcd, and he passed his bony
hand over his eyes. ''This Is what they
call delirium, ! guess" he muttered. |
The child stood beside him. holding on
to the skirt Of his coat, and said moth
ing. hat looked all round her with the
wondering, questioning gaze Of child