Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-07-06
18th ON THE PRAIRIE.

UaOA Att<AO40 chN = I'LL thN -~ cAS
"grandmarm" ate a hasty breakfast and
then gathered on the veranda for a solemn
leave taking, for Harold was going to San
Antonio.
Now a journey to San Antonio in those
days was not to be lightly entered upon,
for every step of the way was fraught with
danger with which they doubted Harold's
ability to cope. He was a dear, good,
quiet, unselfish fellow at home, but his
courage and endurance lac never been Sc
verely tested. Old colored JOKE brought
the iron gray General Washington around
to the horse block, and Harold kissed his
grandmother and Ruth and even Paul,
then sprang into the saddle and turned for
a last goodby.
"Now, Hal, if war should be declared
with Mexico before you come back" Paul
began in his teasing way, "or you should
chance to fall in with the Touchewas''-
He isn't likely to meet them?'' cried
Ruth in terror.
81 haven't the slightest idea of meeting
the cannibals, answered Harold reassur-
ingly, ''for they nave never been known to
cross my route. And I can let my only
living relative die alone among strangers.
Poor old Uncle Levi! He ma not live till 1
get there! Now dom you marry some
old Spaniard while I'm gone, Ruthie."
mo unless you marry some old Next
can, +" she responded ch%eerfully.
And then they saw him ride away and
watched him at intervals until he was lost
to view in the shadow of a grove miles
away. All day Harold rode through the
dry grass and flowers, stopping only for a
lunch off the provisions Ruth had prepared
for him. A short rest at sunset, and he
again set forth on his solitary way, for the
,,k 10
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 danger, his
horses tread upOn the grass appearing
frightfully distinct to his strained ear.
But the night wore away at last, as even
the longest night will, and the faint light
in the east warned him to hasten for con-
cealment to the nearest grove, whose small
trees and tangled vines, IL acres in area,
afforded him just the retreat he needed.
Relieving his horse of all it's burden ex-
cepting the s%alter, he led him among the
trees and fastened him securely. Throw
ing himself on a heap of dried leaves, he
slept a 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 a 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
ssparingly, for when they were exhausted
he would be forced to cool his meals from
the coffee and Indian meal that he carried
in a bag across the saddle. After their re-
past he led the horse to a sheltered spot,
and, %plunging deeper into the wood among
the vines, he again slept until sunset.
With a brave heart he mounted the Gen
eral n set out across the prairie, for his
life had lost its s~trangeness and he felt as
If he had always passed his nights on
horseback n his days in the shadow of a
grove. His friends in the settlement APP
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 a 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 he fancied 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 at
udWu III SldOly lOOh6u dUOub I'LL lOf d
wood and dropped from his saddle in its
shade with a great sense of relief.
He had u~nsaddled his horse n was
whispering words Of praise to him when he
was startled by the whinnying of a horse,
and, turning sharply about, he almost
stumbled over the PROSTATE form of a man.
Both pistols were instantly cooked as he
glanced about him, expecting to find a
party of men, but nothing met his view
excepting a Mexican pony that was stretch
ing its halter to rub noses with the Gen
eral, a bag OF provisions and the figure be-
fore him-a most degraded specimen of
manhood, exhibiting the lowest traits of
Mexican, Spaniard and negro.
Harold bent over him for an instant;
then, replacing his pistols, he dropped on
his knees beside him, holding a withered
leaf over his mouth to test whether he had
breath enough to stir it. Failing in this,
he placed his and over his heart and sat-
isfied himself that life was not quite gone,
for as he lay on the ground upon his back
with wide open CLASSY eyes and clinched
hands his first glance had assured him
that the man was dead.
Using all the knowledge that had earned
for him the title of doctor in the settle
ment, with his precious flask of brandy
and the mustard he had laughed at grand
ma for putting up Harold was encouraged
at nightfall by his patient being able to
move and speak a few words.
At first Harold piled him with questions
in English, then bethought himself and
translated them into Spanish, which the
man understood better than he was will
ing to acknowledge, but he would give no
account of himself. The sun had hurt his
head and he must die was all that he would
be explicit about.
mo. I will take care of you and you
cha11 bo nc xuoII nc aynr ,,ancuarpd Harold