The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-07-09
4TH ON THE PRAIRIE.

granumarm ate nasty breakfast ana
then gathered on the veranda for solemn
leave taking, for Harold was going to San
Antonio.
Now journey to San Antonio in those
days was not to be lightly entered upon,
for overy step of the way was fraught with
danger with which they doubted Harold's
ability to cope. He was dear, good,
quiet, unselfsh fellow at home, but his
courage and endurance had never been Sc
verely tested. Old colored Jake brought
the iron gray General Washington around
to the horse block, and Harold kissed his
grandmother and Ruth and even Paul.
then spranR into the saddle and turned for
last goodby.
"Now, Hal, If war should be declared
with Mexico before you como back, T" Paul
began in his teasing way, "or you should
chance to fall in with the Touchewas''-
"Ho isn't likely to meet themP' cried
Ruth In terror.
"I haven't tho slightest idea of meeting
the oannibals, answered Harold reassur.
ingly, "for they have never been known to
cross my route And can't let my only
living relative die alone among strangers.
Poor old Uncle Levi He may not live till
got therel Now don't you marry some
old Spaniard while I'm gone, Ruthio."
mot unless you marry some old Mexi-
can" she responded cheerfully.
And then they saw him ride AWAY and
watched him at intervals until ho was lost
to view In the shadow of q grove miles
away. All day Harold rode through tho
dry grass and flowers, stopping only for q
lunch off the provisions Ruth had prepared
| for him.e A short rest at sunset, and he
again set forth on his solitary way, for the
country he was now entering could only
be safely traversed in the night. He could
not with prudence whistle or sing, but
passed over the level tracts, the starry sky
shutting on him like a bell, with every
sense painfully alert, listening for the
slightest sound of approaching darger, his
horses tread upon tho grass appearing
frightfully distinct to his strained ear.
But the night wore away at last, as even
/ the longest night will, and tho faint light
In the east warned him 20 hasten for con-
cealment to the nearest grove, whose small
trees and tangled vines, 1 q acres in area,
afforded him just tho retreat he needed.
Relieving his horse of all its burden ex-
cepting the halter, he led him among the
trees and fastened him securely. Throw
ing himself on n heap of dried leaves, he
slept dreamless sleep until long past
midday. He then arose feeling tired and
stiff and led the General to the edge of the
wood, where he found spring, and al
lowed him to crop the grass that grew
close up to the roots of the trees.
Ruth's good things were partaken OF
sparingly, for when they were exhausted
he would be forced to cook his meals from
the coffee and Indian meal that he carried
Ia, Inrx tl,ne Int,,
past he led the horse to a sheltered spot,
and, plunging deeper into the wood among
the vines, he again slept until sunset
With brave heart he mounted the Gen.
eral and set out across tho prairie, for his
life had lost its strangeness and he felt as
II he had always passed his nights on
horseback and his days in the shadow of O
grove His friends in the settlement ap.
peared like dream people to him and his
early New England home only a name
Nothing was real excepting the regular
tread of his horse, the dusky landscape and
the stars around and above him. Sight
and hearing were still vigilant, but his
heart no longer stood still when startled
bird flew up from the grass as he passed,
nor did the buzzing of an insect suggest
the yell of an Indian. Finally the silence
grew SO oppressive that ho fanoied he would
welcome a war whoop and was many times
tempted to scream for sake of companion
ship. Nevertheless the second night did
not appear as long as the first although al
dawn he gladly looked about him for {
wood and dropped from his saddle in iti
shade with great sense of relief.
He had unsaddled his horse and was
whispering words of praise to him when III
was startled by the whinnying of a horse
and, turning sharply about, he almos
stumbled over the prostrate form of a man
Both pistols were instantly cooked as b,
glanced about him, expecting to find
party of men, but nothing met his view
excepting Mexican pony that was stretch
ing its halter to rub noses with the Gen
eral, q bag of provisions and the figure be
fore him-a most degraded specimen o
manhood exhibiting the lowest traits O
Mexican, Spaniard and negro.
Harold bent over him for an instant
then, replacing his pistols, he dropped oi
his knees beside him, holding witheret
leaf over his mouth to test whether he hat
breath enough to stir 1t. Failing in this
he placed his hand over his heart and sat
isaed himself that life was not quite gone
for as he lay on the ground upon his bacl
with wide open CLASSY eyes and clinoho'
ndnuS MS ursU BlillOo nuu dSSureu Mn
that the man was dead.
Using all the knowledge that had earne,
for him the title of doctor in the settle
ment with his precious flask of brand,
and the mustard he had laughed at grand
ma for putting up, Harold was encourage,
at nightfall by his patient being able e.
move and speak few words.
At first Harold piled him with question
In English, then bethought himself an,
translated them into Spanish, which tn
man understood better than he was will
ing TO acknowledge, but he would give m
account of himself. The sun had hurt hi
head and he must die was all that he woul,
be explicit about.
"No. will take care Of you, and yol
shall be as well as ever, F." answered Harol
oheerily, "and as wicked" he adde,
under his breath, for with the pallor gon
from his face the man was more repulsiv
than ever.
"You-go-ride; -stay-die," sal
the man family.
"No," replied Harold hesitatingly.
will stay awhile with you-stay till yo
are better" he continued after pause
during which head and heart had held
fierce debate. ~ will stay until tomorrow
night. You will be able to feed yoursel
by that time"
"I - have nothing = to --pay--you,
said the man unoasily.
''Money couldn't pay me for staying her
with you" retorted Harold Indignantly.
"Then eat-from my bag--eat frnit--
and dried meat-and cakes baked by th
women" he said eagerly.
So Harold helped himself from the otf
er's stores and fod him with bits Of cor
cake, and after making his position q
| oonfortahla M noaai hIa ha Law down hasid