The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-09-06
ATHIRST IN THE DESERT.

They were encamped on the desert twelve miles from Old Woman Springs, Robinson and Barlow, prospectors; the former an Apollo, in his prime, strong, sinewy and vigorous, full of the ire and energy of youth; the latter an old CT man, wiry, scared and worn by toil- some years. With them was a boy, Martin Rogers, who remained in camp while they were prospecting and looked after their outfit, keeping an especially ~watchful eye on the two mules which had hauled them to this lonely spot among the dunes, and upon which, in certain contingencies, their lives might depend. It was the 10th day of June, 1S9-. They had half barrel of water, and there was no more within the twelve tedious miles to Old Woman Springs. They were debating whether they should retrace their steps or go forward and take the chances of find- ing water. On this desert tempera- ture of 13O degrees or 14O degrees is not uncommon. Then a man requires about two gallons of water a day, and an ami nal like a horse or mule requires more. So their supply was scanty for the size of the party.
 , son. T do not. It is for you to say. But don't want to go back if there is a ghost of chance for us ahead"
 Barlow hesitated a moment, reflect ing. and consulted roughly outlined map. Its four years since was here, ," he said. But, if remember right, we found water in a canon between those hills over there' He pointed to the in distinct outlines of some low noun tains in the distance across stretch of rolling desert, above which the heated air rose in quick, successive, wave-like vibrations. "If that's the canon I'm thinking of,' Barlow resumed, 'the mine we're looking for is about five miles to the north"
 ssAll right" replied Robinson. Well sleep until midnight. Then we'll go over there. If we find water we'll come back and move the camp"
 Robinson and Barlow had often pro- spected together before. They had been successful, and owned, jointly, mines which were profitable. But this eXcur- sion was to make them millionaires. It was the old story of a lost mine of fab ulous riches accidentally discovered by a party who had been attacked by h. dians. The sole survivor of this adven- ture, wounded unto death, had been able to give some account of the loca- ton of the mine, and had drawn a crude map which had descended from one to another until Barlow had secur- ed it.
 At midnight the boy, who had kept watch, aroused them from their re- freshing sIumbers. Having filled their canteens from the slender store of wa ter. they started. It was cool now, and the half moon, riding high in the sky made the way sufficiently plain. Trav- cling was easy, and by morning they had covered much of the distance, al though the canon was still far away They halted for breakfast on the con- tents of their knapsacks, then pushed on. The sun rose higher and higher; the hot sands began to blister their feet and they stopped often just to moisten their lips from the diminishing contents of the canteens. But their hearts were strong, and their courage was as yet undaunted.
 At noon the water was gone from their canteens, and then they began tc suffer Their lips were soon swoller and parched, and they spoke only rare ly and in monosyllables. The hot ail blistered their cheeks like a blast from a furnace. Their skin, which had unti now been moist with excessive perspir' ation became dry and feverish. Theii eyes were bloodshot; in fact, all tht blood in their bodies seemed to have mounted to their faces. They were tor tured with pains at the base of tht brain, now dull and heavy, now pierc