The herald., 1897-04-04

ruined temple reduced to a conglomer-
ated formation shaped by the action OF
water at some former period of time.
The long shadows are now merged
into one; the sun having disappeared.
the stars are soon discernible, for twi-
light here is but a name. The weary
animals have been loosed from their
burden, securely tied to the wagon. fed
and watered from the supply brought
for that purpose as nature has provided
nothing here for animals. After the meal
Of coffee, bacon and bread has been par
taken and the bed unrolled from its
canvas cover and spread on the slope
of a sand-hummock. the weary man
throws himself down to enjoy the most
exquisite sensation of rest and peace
ever devised by gods or mon.
A grateful GOODNESS pervades the air
after the furnace-like heat of the day.
due to the altitude, and seldom enjoyed
on the lower lands of hot countries. AS
this balmy atmosphere Is comparatively
free from humidity, the man lies there
hour after hour in his underclothing,
having no need or desire for more cover
ing. No living thing disturhs the ST.
lence; no noisy insect life, neither bats
nor owls; even the ubiquitous and nim-
BILE coyote is neither seen nor heard, as
his quarry, the jackrabb makes his
home near the foothills and water.
<1iouC. uc COHSlclldllOIlS OL
the heavens look down upon this lone
waif. amid the desert sands and the 81
lence. Doubtless no place in the uni
verse could be found where the mind Is
so much thrown upon itself and de-
pendent upon its own resources as on a
desert at night. The absolute dearth OF
the teeming life that goes to make up the
sights and sounds OF the normal objec-
tive world compels the mind to seek for
materials within its own subjective
sphere.
As the waif lies looking up at the In
Vulnerable starry hosts he realizes in
this a new world and one peculiarly
adapted to either awaken the slumber-
ing forces Of the soul and place him on
higher plane or else develop whisper
Ing gallery of hell!
Gently a light breeze which has arisen
on the desert fans and woos the tired
man to slumber. A tall cactus near him
stands guard, with two gaunt arms held
out in benson.
As he prepares his meal, while yet the
dread god Of day has but family
heralded his approach in the east, sud-
denly and forcibly the waif is reminded
that even the sacred silence with which
he has invested this place may be un-
tremendously broken in upon. To the
inexperienced ear the sounds he hears
3re discordantly grotesque-a combina-
tlon or hotel gong, asthmatic wheeze.
whistle and below. Many will recog-
nize this az the long drawn-out bray OF
the Spanish burro.
"A packer" was once heard to say,
Seferrtng to his favorite burro:
Taint to say first-ciass music but
eney amt no dogoned mule can git in
them yer fine teches thet my Commo dora
can!"
On distant sand ridge may be seen
three OF these 1ong-eared little animals
bearing huge packs, while behind. urr-
Ing them forward. are two horsemen.
The braying of the burro betokens his
recognition and appreciation of COM
pany near at hand. as the prospect looks
,AvoraDie Tor rest. and burro never
roses an opportunity for resting; at
times ne insists on a little repose be-
tween opportunities, but this Is not often
obtained except under violent protesr
from club, which he generally takes
with philosophic indifference.
The small cavalcade, as 1t draws up at
the camp. is typical prospector's out
mt. The horsemen are dressed in over
alls, blue shirts and broad hats. with red
bandanas about their necks. Each Is
armed with Winchester and revolver
and behind the saddles are strapped n
small roll OF canvas-covered blankets
Two of the Jacks are carrying the
usual prospector's tools, consisting Of
picks. shovels, drills, hammers, etc,
while the third is packed with the pro-
visions, water and camp eQuipaee. rs
Something like the following conver-
gation takes place between one Of tha
new-comers and the solitary:
tHowdy, mister They was only
bout three mile 'twixt our camps last
night: 4 we'd lnowed it might hev kept
ye company. Whar ye strikin' fer?''
inside, reclkin. Me an Jack (my
pard, here) cleaned up leetle wal
down In the Greaser country, an con-
cluGed ter keep = clus cinch ont, so
struck cut afote We he'd time ter drap