Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-02-25


standing. Anderson was angered.
why the devil don't you pull?" he
Numbered. Then, in gentler tones,
"Why, boy, what in the name of Simon
Peters ghost is ailin' you? Have you
cot the st. Vitus dance?"
Grimes was reeling in aimless cir
cles. frOthing at the mouth and max
ing inarticulate cries of pain. Then
he fell to the ground. and his legs AMI
arms threshed the ground with spas
modic contortions. Then came nausea,
worse than any seasickness. And a
moment later Grimes sat up and pull
ed himself together"
God" he said That's terrible.
Little the worst l ever had. Who
would have thought a man could live
through such pain as that?"
81 tell you what" Anderson replied.
you've eaten something that don't
agree with you-it's almost like poi
son. You're iucOed. We've got to
camp here again and make some coffee
to settle your stomach"
Fortunately, a little alcohol stove and
the necessary fuel were in the outfit.
1t took only a few minutes to pre-
pare the coffee, in the making of which
they used the last water that they had.
Poth drank freely: Grimes declared
that he was better; the process of load
ing the packs was completed, and they
broke camp, heading for curved
notch in the mountains, the head of Il
canyon, beyond which were Indian
TOMS and safety.
After mile or two of travel almost
in silence, Grimes called halt. I'll
have to rest" he said. I'm sick again.
l hate to say so, but ] can't 90 on"
I'm pretty bad myself" Anderson
replied, when they had stopped
Queer, isn't it?' Then suddenly the
same symptoms which had so tortured
his friend, although in n lesser degree
-spasmodlc, uncomfortable contrac-
tiors of the muscles, wretched uau-
sea, and Il burning, intolerable thirst,
which seemed to dry up every atom of
vitality and to cleave to the very CEN
ters of existence. But Anderson was
strong, and he fought like lion
against his unseen foe. When he recov-
cred n little from the paroXySms of
pain, he found Grimes PROSTATE, moan
ing pitifully, and apparently unable to
move.
1T was in the water" said Anderson.
We've been poisoned. Those devilish
coyote-bounty hunters have put strych-
nine in the springs. Five dollars for
scalp and man CT two thrown
in. He'll, what country this isr'
ITS that tiend, Indian Tom," whis-
pered Grimes. He's poisoned the
water at Coyote Hole, and he'll be look
ing fer our burros tomorrow. If can
live long enough to stick Il knife into
him, I'll be satisfied" and the rem
nants of the tortured mans voice wan
dered off into incoherent curses.
Anderson rallied all his powers to
meet the situation. II can walk" he
said, land you can ride. Old Jerusa-
lem is strong. I'll tie you on top of the
pack, and we'll get out of here yet.
Erace up"
For Gods sake, Anderson. shoot
me-" Grimes replied. II can't stand
this torture any longer. We've been
good friends, you and me. Take your
revolver and blow my brains out. If
you have any love for me, do what
say, won't you? Shoot me, man, shoot
me-"
Nov, see here" Caid Anderson,
"rore Of that. You stop that kind of
talk, or I'll lat you over the jaw. Stop
kickin' now, and keep quiet. Here you
GO Then. eXerting all of his wnn,ng
s.rrrgth, Andersen lifted his c0nipan.
iCn to the top Of Jerusalem's load. ant.
propped him between two rolls NJ blan-
kpte. He tied him securely in place,
ard started the bulros ahead, walking
heyide Jerusalem and listening 10 tile
hrart-rending demand Of agouizel hui
man nature, "ShoCt me. shoot M,
'AANNN iA+N' NiANll lAN was Illlltt-l lluLI-
tic with the mingled passions Of all
ger, pity, ard fear.
Thus they traversed the sloping rim
Of Death Valley and the compare lively
level ground above 1t, and came to tut
long. winding canyon which opens mp
on the confines of the valley and, ut its
upper extremity, forms n pass in thC
General range, beyond which lic thos,
combinations of the desert where, al
this time, Indian Toms wicliilp AM
tie adjacent springs were the mos, inn
Gortant signs of life. At interval,
when Jerusalem, staggering beneath
her double load, stopped to rest. An
dcIsor was compelled to listen 70 l!il
Gcl;rious rawlings of his iriprt;. whr
constantly begged for susceas, from
pain by death as for some priceless.