The Press., 1895-03-14
tcontinned.l
tContinued.) 4 STUDY IN SCARLET.
By A. CONAN DOYLE.

twas a strange sight, had there been anything but the -buzZaTds to see it. Side by side on the narrow shawl knelt the two wanderers. the little prattling child and the reckless, hardened adventurer. Her chubby face and his haggard, an- gular visagC were both turned t4p 10 the cloudless heaven in heartfelt en treaty to that dread being with whom tl.ey were face to face, while the two yoiGes-the one thin and clear, the other deep and harsh-united in the entreaty for mercy and forgiveness. The prayer finished, they resumed their seat in the shadow Of the powder, until the child fell asleep, nestling upon the broad breast of her protector. He watched over her slumber for some time, but nature proved to be too strong for him, For three days and three nights he had allowed him. self neither rest nor repose. Slowly the eyelids dropped over the tired eyes, and the head sunk lower and lower upon the breast until the mans grizzled beard was mixed with the golden tresses of his companion, and both slept the same deep and dreamless slumber.
 
 for another half hour strange sight would have met his eyes. Far away on the extreme verge of the alkai plain there rose up little Hi.rLy t.f dust, very slight at first and l;;r;;ly t) he tlistin- Guished from the M!, ;S tf Inc distance, but gradually growing higher and broader until it fO1llCd solid, we'll de- fined cloud. This ciuud continued to in crease in size until it became evident that it conld only he raised by a great multitude of moving creatures. In more fertile spots tho observer would have come to the conclusion that one of those great herds of bisonS which graZe upon the prairie land was approaching him. This was obviously impossible ill these arid wilds As the Whnl of dust drew nearer to the solitary bluff Upon which the two caStaWay, were requesting tho canvas covered tiitS Df W: 0!!e aud the figures of armed horsriMeii Is :;a:l to show up through the haze, :irt' .;&, Witparit tion revealed itself as being !; great caravan upon its journey for tho west But what caravan! When the head of 1t had reached the base of the mountains, the rear was not yet visible on the horizon. Right across the enornous plain stretch ed the struggling array, wagOlis and carts, men on horseback and men on foot, innumerable women who stag gered along nnder burdens aud children who toddled beside tEe wagons or peep. ed out from under the white coverings This was evidently no ordinary party of immigrants, but rather some noinad peo- pie who had been compelled frcm stress of circumstances to seek themselves a new country. There rose through the clear air confused clattering and rum bling 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 score or more of grave, iron faced men, clad in somber, homespun gar ments and armed with rifles. On reach ing the base of the bluff they halted and held a short council among themselves
 ''The wells are to the right, my broth ers,'' said one, hard tipped, clean shaven man with grizzly hair.
 ''To the right of the Sierra Blanco, so we shall reach the Rio Grande.'' said another.
 Fear not for waterr cried third He who couIa draw iE frcm the rocks