New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05


thought Beyond these trees shall see further
There a bend in the road Just before
turned up the coulee perhaps am not so far
from II as fear
He reached the prairie through a slow torture.
whose price was a dead faint Consciousness
rallied again rather lngeringly. and he lay star
Ing up at the stars and repeating to himse't 'ha'
search parties would be sent out from the post III
the morning whether or not Car ha' 1ounu HIS
vay thither No briefest respite of slumber came
N his stna,ned nerves His thoughts were as
husv as his bodv was idle. fitting TO curious IN
congruities according to some Enthusiastically IN
verted scale Of values. He suffered. too intense
" for hunger but thirst grew In leVerishncS'
until GLASS Of claret he had refused as ne sot
irto the saddle became keener regret ira" '"e
vanishing possibilities Of his career or those
dear home faces he was likely never 10 sec i'o'e.
Dawn me- and with it the aoanoohihehl vi
an attempt to crawl toward the road because VI
bic broad Of living insensiblc while Traveller
nassed without discovering his need. AS the
srrrv summer hours added each burning
anguish to the others. every faculty was cohce"-
t,ated in listening for sound Of wayfarers ana
from time to time the vast stiffness echoed WIFI
his cry-piteously fainter at each repenuoh.
Tho afternoon was waning when he heard
heavier movement than those OF the prdirc
creatures. ,.,s,..
Whoever was near white man or red kindly
re,ghhor or human beast Of prey. this misery Oh
waiting would end If he could make MS voice
audible.
He struggled to his elbow strained ever! ioroe
Of body and spirit into tremuous shou'-a'u
sank back senseless.
The GOODNESS of water on his face the pungent
l,te ltpc PARTIALLY
Rim He looked languidly up to a familiar race
which he vaguely remembered to be that Oh one
o, his troopers who had been called Brian. WIN
ansorbed interest he watched this Brian take a
loaf Of bread from large bundle, cut slice ana
soak u in a tin cup filled with whskey ana
water I,uxuriantly he permitted the adminlstra-
ton Of me mixture to himself. and as he ate MS
mind cleared gradually.
"How did you find me? he faltered
81 started on a tramp from Zenith City last
MIGHT" Brian answered, and his grin stirred
some chord In Cameron's memory.
From Zenith City? Were you there "h'le
We
"WhIe YOU secured the town for me! cnap
IN trouble is easy to hide-if he can pay Tor II
the other declared with good-humored cviiici7n'
Cameron's haggard eyes closed heaVliE. ne
turned his head feebly on the grass. that ne
|
him AZ he remembered fully.
This man alone Of all the worlds miiloh'
cou,d save him. and this mans own safety de-
pendcd upon his forsaking him.
"Hearten yourself with drop more" Brians
voice said briskly. Sure the worst Oh your
trouble is done now that I'm here
But you will leave me-
"1s II leave you?" Brian cried, bending down 10
hear the halfuttered syllables. ia nave you
know. sir that I'm deserter when deserving
means murder 1t is the pain that Is killing YOU
he added hurriedly. Cameron's lips quivered
| dunlbly i've seen broken bones pefore' anu l
can make you bit easier
With which he proceeded to bind his captains
leg that had been fractured in two places to the
stout stick upon which his bundle had been
slung.
When that operation was dexteroufly accom-
,usbed Cameron in the lessenng Of his suffering
was able to think coherenty.
"yo,, are very good to me-" he said. But you
must go now for your own sake. Leave your flask
here Tell them about me at the next ranch or
send me the first 'prairie-schooner you pass
| and God bless you!'
Brian stared down at the white face confront
ing him bravely and a swift. merry smile lit his
eyes.
That advice is an offence against Army Regu-
lations' Captain" he exclaimed. mo more nor
less than aiding and abettng deserter.
But you-but =
ut may be four or five hours before meet
anybody and az many again before they ma
vou Another night without care or shelter gill
kill YOU. sure-let alone the chance that soma
redskn makes quick finish of you to get your
toys" Brian broke off. II shall just take you on
| my back he ended roughly.
You mean to carry me?'
You are a lightweight. sir. and we shall soon
meet an outfit after get to the road
''If we should meet a search party looking for
me- they will take you prisoner"
Brian frowned. II owe you good turn Cap
tain You tried to get that medal for me the
| BOYS say I deserved and the Colonel kept from
mel If I'm lucky I shall put you into prairie
schooner and skip If I'm unlucky, and get
| hauled back to the POST
They will give you two years In prison
you may take odds sir. I'll break JAIL Brian
| asserted hopefully why, I've been running
away all my life and It has been fun every time.
I ran away from the asylum when was kid;
I ran away from the circus after row that
! wasn't my fault; / ran away from the regiment
because the rules were too stiff
you didn't run away from the Indians" Cam
eron murmured, smiling.
mo time for compliments. sir. We mustn't
waste daylight. I'll lift you easy as can
He knelt. drew his Captains arms about his
neck with one hand. and. taking the injured foot
in his strong hold. slowly again. The slight
capacity for endurance which Cameron had re-
gained from such food and care as he had re-
ceved kept him conscious through agony o.
difficult stumbling progress. But presently his
head dropped on his rescuer's shoulder. and his
cold fingers relaxed their clasp.
"Tn rest bit" Brian gasped. I'm Just
blown, and can lay him down without hurt
now"