Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-01
THE LOST MINE.
CONCLUDED.

The burros were browsing at little
ss;ance. and rod away sat Easton, his
.reoa drawn up. his head down upon his
hands between them, and his whole at
titudo expressing almost lifeless tiejec-
ton. Dick got up and went toward him,
the sand burning his feet ut every step.
When Easton raised his face, Dick
first thought was that his companion had
suddenly gone insane. His face was
deadly pale. his eyes were bloodshot aud
sunkeH.
In answer TO Dicks exclamation he
pointed. without looking thither, to
where they had stood the water jars.
When unloading in the early morning
they had placed these carefully, sur
rounding them with the other freight
While the two men slept one of the pack
animals had strayed among the goods
and upset aud broken the water jars.
Dick took it all in at glance.
There is not q drop left.
For answer Easton shook his head 81
iently
And there is none TO be had until
we ere across the desert:"
Easton extended his arms and pointed
TO the els. and the west.
IL Is days journey either way"
he snid.
IL Is useless to go back" said Dick
1t is useless to go either way
But you would not stay here to die
like dog?"
ut viii be Just rs we'll"
Easton lolled out his tongue and be-
gan 10 lick his lips for moisture. The
Nero action was horribly Suggestive to
Dick. He had not felt thirst before, but
now he was suddenly conscious that his
own mouth and throat were parchcd and
burning.
Neither man was afraid Of death, and
tho presence Of any foe or danger that
they could combat would have fought
stubbornly. inch by inch, to the end.
But this menace appalled, them.
Dick looked about him, towardrhc
four points Of the compass. Everywhere
was the same brown desert, the sage
and the cactus, and the sky like bur-
nished brass above. But anything was
better than this inaction. Mechanically
lac went to work, placing the panniers
upon the pack animals and loading the
goods into them.
Easton came toward him and protest.
Ell pctulantly.
IT'S no nsc. Dick. tell. you. We
might Us well die here"
1--WE will try. II we can hold out ten
hours
Eas'on finally gave some assistance in
making ready but lie worked AS enc al
ready walking IN the shadow Of death.
AftCT this they wasted no words. ST.
lcntly they rude on into the arid waste.
The sun scorched and burned them.
The beasts plodded on. taking their own
gait, their tongues lolling. Tho eyes Of
the men grew more bloodshot. Their
mouths were open 10 catch any passing
breath 10 cooling air. but instead only
the stftling dust " the alkuli plain
camu 90 them. The hours passed. and it
was high noon. They rceled. sick and
dizzy, 81 their saddles. Then cry
broke hoarseiy from Dicks parched
throat.
Easton looked up to see what had
caused u. His companion was pointing
rudbHb hi'si anu uiNiHS his Destst tD v
faster pace. Right ahead. 50 close that
u made his heart beat faster TO think
how close. was "a clump " green timber.
u sure sign.of water. There was an in
slant glcam Of hope in his face, but il
changed again rs soon into deepest de-
lection. Dic< saw this. II know" he
soid; cit s. not so near US it seems. but
10 is not 80 very far away. We can reach
it.S
He urged his beast forward again with
foverish inpaticpce.
EaStou shook his head despondently.
1T is cheat" he said, "a mirage. II
is where we drank last night
Dick turned upon him incredulously.
Then his,facc grew still more grave and
haGNDi rs the conviction came'to him
that IBIS companions mind had gone.
East6g interpreted his thought.
Look at the beasts" he said. III
there was water. they would scent it,"
The animals Were rlodding on with
unvgrying step, heads down and tongues
lol!iug as they had been from the start.
At this Dicks heart sank as it had not
before since the day began. But still he
urged forward with grim persistence.