Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-04-30

trail too quick. l have stuck ar it ten
years. and used up Fry last dollar. I
went east to get another years grub
stakes from an old partner, but he's
gone dead"
"And you want me to do this, and to
60 with you:''
"Yes, If the snowdrifts and the desert
don't scare you out-and don't believe
they will"
"When shall we start:''
Tonight if you are ready"
1.-THE sooner the better, and here is
my hand to seal our bargain.
Daring the journey to Flagstaff,
where they were to leave the railroad,
there was much opportunity for the
acquaintance between the two men to
ripen, and they were glad to find each
liking the other better as the days
passed.
Easton had much to tell of his ten
years un:irinG search. Of the dangers
and hardshipS he had endured, and of
his marvellous escape. all recited in
such simple and transformations man
ner that Dick pulled himself up with
little start Of surprise every now ard
then at realizing that his companion
was the hero Of his own tale. But there
was no undue modesty or simplicity
about the old fellow when he brought up
strange tale and legend to corroborate
his own belief il the existence of the
Lost Mine, and Of the Golcondalike
treasure that should be theirs when it
was found again.
at Flagstaff they outftted for the
long journey over the mountains.
~ have a few traps on the other side."
said EastoD. II left 'em in charge Of my
Apache boy. tie only honest ono ever
found. But we might as well outfit for
years stay while we ate at it. ="
When they started, their outfit con-
sisted Of SIX burros. four loaded down
with provisions, tools, ammunition and
camp equipage, and two more to carry
the owners.
When camp was made at the end of
the rst'day's march, Dick, was full of
enthusiasm. He watched the old from
tiersman s preparations for the night and
foand that he could be Of help, collect
ing bIushwood and building the fire for
supper while his companion was unload
ing and pickering the burros. After sup
Per each smoked Il pipe and then stretch
ed himself to sleep under the clear sky.
Easton, accustomed to that sort Of life,
was soon off il 4 sound slumber. But
the surroundings were so strange that
Dick. although wearied with the days
journey, was wakeful and restless. The
vast silence oppressed him. the stars
CLEANED with uncanny brilliance, the
snow capped, domes Of the Mogollons
caught and reflected bacl, across tho
plain the yellow moonlight. Now and
then one of the burros would lift his
voice and make weird and hideous
break i'll the Astounding peace OF the
night. A jack rabbit, making his way
over the sagebrush in long. uncouth
leaps, sent queer shadows gyrating
about.
Dicks thoughts went back in contrast
TO Wayneland and TO that night-was it
possible that not n whole week had gone
since then-when he sat in the vine
covered porch with Norah Dale. He
wondered Just what she meant by a man
doing something. He wished he had ask
ed her. If lie ever had chance, he be-
lieved, he could do something. But
nowadays there were no chances. Life
was such humdrum thing
And thus he fell asleep.
For two days more they journeyed to-
ward the mouDtains, the radiantly clear
atmosphere, cheating Dick always as to
distance. Then they began to climb up
ana up toward tire snow capped sum-
mits. Their path lag now along the mar
row lodges that edged steep precipices,
again through deep canyons where the
light scarcely penetrated at midday.
There they could not travel very fast,
and it was two days more before they
reached the snow line.
ut is hard climb, but this is the
only way to get there that ever l could
lind, said Easton as they made camp
for the night, 5000 feet above the sea
level. Were up in the world now. nv
boy, If we never are again. BY tonur-
row night we shall be over the worst of
1t II we have good luck-over the worst
OF the mountain l mean. Then comes
the desert
The next morning Eastou began the
march with unusual care. First he
slowed the freight anew upon the bur
ros. and lashed everything tight in
way that would have won a sailors adj
miration. Then he jointed together
some stout rods, making stats for him
self and Dick. These We're about Is
feet long and tipped with steel points.
Don't step upon anything until you
have prodded it with this" he said to
Dick; nor put your foot on any snow
until you have run the staff down to see
how deep it is
They took up the line Of march in
single file-Easton ahead. Dick next.
and the patient, faithful, sure footed
beasts following
1t was hardly light when they set out,
but soon the sun had arisen and lighted
the whole with great glory All about
and above Them lay the vast fields of
untrodden snow. Ihe sunlight touched
it and turned j. all into myriads of
sparkling crystals. The towering peaks
Of the mountain cleaned like shafts Of
porphyry. The plain below seemed I'M
4.