The Coconino weekly sun., 1895-05-30
SAVED BY A SQUAW.

It was so hot that the blue-gum Eeaves fairly sizzled. So hot that, as Pete Oberlin looked across the road from his shanty, the outlines of the Oasis saloon, and those of the com bined post office and grocery, seemed to wave and dance in the furnace cur rent rising to the glaring, brazen sky. Hot as it was outdoors, it was still more like an oven in Peter's little one room hut, for the fire was blazing, and Pete, coatless and vestless, was over seeing frying-pan of bacon and a mess of boiling potatoes.
 The appetizing odor foated out of the doorway and spread over the neighborhood. It was distinctly noticeable as far off as the row of'lopped -eucalypti beyond the saloon. At the foot of one of these trees lay what at 6rst sight seemed only bundle of rags, but closer inspection revealed a shock of black hair and glimpses of a brown parchment skin that indicated a human being. Gradually, as the welcome aroma penetrated the crea- -ture's befogged brain, the heap of rags stirred and tossed, and finally, up- lifting bodily, resolved itself into a very dirty and torn blanket, sur mounted by hideous, blear-eyed ~countenancs. The old hag-for it was a woman-sniffed at the wandering fragrance, trying to catch its direction, and then staggered unsteadily across the road to Pete's cabin.
 Hello there, Wawaga! Gettin' over yer spree" greeted that gentleman, easily.
 ''Umph! No drunk! Injun hungryr F remarked the visitor.
 Pete, laughing good-naturedly, re- piled: You wait; I'll give you bite pretty quick now"
 The old woman squatted on her heels by the stone and greedily eyed the preparations for the feast, while Pete kept his own optics steadily on his cooking to forestall any possible burn ing. The squaw's restless gaze roved around the room, finally pausing at the the shelf behind the stove, upon which stood a cheap alarm clock and a big black bottle; here it remained fixed until Pete looked at her once more, whereupon she announced, in her quay sering croak:
 ''Ol' Injun heap thirst"
 Pete laughed again. "Go along out to ther pump, then" he said.
 But Wawaga's eye was still glued to the interesting object before her. Soon Pete himself went out to the pump, pail in hand; immediately the bundle "of rags by the wall stretched up lean arm, with quick and stealthy motion of a bouncing cat, and, seizing the bot tie, poured the fiery contents down through the brown, parched throat.
 Such an unearthly bowling and yell ing as followed this successful thievery! Pete dropped his pail and came run ming in, to find his guest doubled up in agony and rolling around on the floor ascreeching like mad.
 What in thunder's struck herr" he , cried; but just then, catching sight of the black bottle still clutched in the Indians skinny claw, his blank look turned to a wide grin. He dropped on the nearest box, skipping his thigh and chuckling: My eye! of the old fool ain't drunk that ther quart O kerosene" The terror-stricken scream ing redoubled, while the man watched the poor wretch's antics in ecstasy. Guess it'll teach her to quit meddlin', ' he muttered, gleefully; but as the mo- .ments passed he began to realize that the matter was serious, for the crea- -ture's contortions grew awful, and her anguish too great for amusement.
 Pete's grin faded insensibly; he scratched his head thoughtfully, jgrumbling: Don't know as I want the old gal kiclxin the bucket right here and now, but what in tarnal crea- tion's feller goin' ter do fer her@ Oh, gosh! I know" He bolted across the road, sending up a choking cloud oi powdery soil, and burst into the store. Say, Ike, yer got any mustard?" he demanded; ''old Wawaga's done drunk all my coal oil, an guess it's goin ter kill her! Don't yer hear that screechin"" Jke Dempsey reused from