The morning times., 1897-01-25


from sheer inability to move further, upon
the highest point, where the sides OF the
gorge dropped abruptly away into unknown
depths, shrouded in darkness. where there
was no fantastic play OF the moonlight
Here Grimes called saftay for water, ask
ing III the tone OF Il spoiled child, who be-
lieves that its mother denies it's request
from caprice. There was something in the
tone and in the repeated, insstent demand
thatc tAndersont6the heart. 1t was really
such little thing, yet so impossible.
Water, water, won'tyou give me water?
Only drop, one little drop, and III be
satisfied"
"Come," said Anderson, gently, can Z
you be yourself for Jest minute? Don't
you know that can't give you water?
Try to reason, jest "a Iittle.''
"Water!" was the imperious reply. Wa
ter, or kill me in mercy''
Anderson drew his revolver from its hol-
ster for the first time. The moonlight
glanced from the polished steel as he held
the handle toward Grimes. He intended to
test him.
Here is the revolver" he said. Take
it and use it'
Il can't" was the reply. My arms are
you see that | am only a wreck OF a man =
nothing LEFT of me except a voice and q
brain that's all on fire? Anderson, I'm
myself now. | know what I'u saving,
and | call on you, as you are my friend, to
do your duty
Anderson hesitated for moment. He
wavered to and fro and toyed with the re-
volver, undecided. Then. with a quick
l,i
own heart and pulled the trigger. There
was report, followed by q cry. Ander-
son threw his arms into the air, fell, clutch
ed vainly at The edge of the precipice and
disappeared into the depths.
Again, at the first break of day, Indian
Tom stood ut the door of his wickinp hold
ing erect bis meager form, upbent by the
weight OF a hundred years, and gazing into
the far reaches of the landscape. The at
mospherc, swept by the norther of the
day before, free from every particle OF
moisture, was perfectly transparent, and
every outline of the mountains, every
naked rock, and shrunken desert bush
was distinct with startling individuality.
Here andthere jack rabbit bounded over
the harren plain, or q coyote Sneaked away
from the approach OF day. Shuffling ,nn-
steadily across the sands came two gray
forms, which Tom watched intently from
their first appearance in the distance.
Mobiles was in advance with the lighter
load, crazed for water, and frantic TO bury
her nose IN the black sluggish ooze be.
meath the shadow OF Toms hahitation
Then came Jerusalem, trembling with
fever and WEAKNESS and staggering under
her two-fold burden. For lying back upon
the blankets tied so that il could not
fall, was a human form, rigid. uncovered,
the beared and checks fleckcd with bloody
foam, the CLASSY eyes staring unmoved into
the face of tue morning sun.
Then Indian Tom. lifting his hands to
the cast, ehanted IN gutterai monotone a
verse Of thanksgiving To the spirit on high
who puts into the white mans heart the
lust OF gold and sends him forth into the
wiIds, driving his dert-footed little beasts
laden with the miners pick and pan, with
tobacco, With bacon and, best Of all, with
whisky, which warns the marrow and
gladdens the heart Of the Great Fathers
dusky servant. a9
WILLIAM NJ TIsDAEE, in san Francisco
Argonaut