Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-01-21
Copyright, 1897, by the Author.1
CHAPTER |.

spot for his dwelling no one could i'm
agine. The valley of Death, " the old
Spanish settlers had called it, and it de-
served its title, for "A more utterly hope
4 less, desolate, barren region was not to
4 be found III all Arizona. Within 3 min
3 utes' ride from the fort there were half
dozen excellent sections" supplied
with abundance of rich bottom grass,
wood and water, any one of which he
4 might have had for the taking, to say
A nothing of contiguity to the post-no
small matter i'll country where any
day III the year one might be called upon
to defend ones life and property against
the very worst savages on the globe.
Il But Omer ignored all such considera-
tons A deputation of which l was
one, went out from the fort one day to
warn him against the folly of his course.
He received us with grave courtesy lis
tened to what we had to urge, but polite
ly declined our advice. The spot he had
chosen suited his purpose, he said, and
he saw no reason to change
We argued with him, representing
his exposed situation, the absolute GER
tainty, sooner or later, of visit from
the marauding Apaches which Of course
meant robbery, arson and murder and
the impossibility of timely aid from the
fort, but argument, warning and re-
munstrance were vain. He was inf1eXi-
bile, and we retired in dudgeon, for he
very frankly intimated that he was not
at all grateful for our interference and
preferred to be left strictly to himself.
He had selected a dwelling place which
she believed neither whites nor Indians
would dispute with him, and all that he
asked was to be let alone. So he told us
in plain terms.
He had built himself hut of split
cypress logs chinked with clay and
matched with the broad, tough leaves
of the sand palm, whose thick oily
fronds shed water like glass. The hut
jacale, the MeXicans call twas divid-
ed into two apartments, the larger occu-
pied by his mustang and the smaller
by himself and his setter dog. Other
companions he had none.
l caught glimpse of some books in
rack against the wall. There We're an
inkstand pens and paper upon his pine
table under which We're carelessly hUd-
died winchester repeater, an ammu-
4 hilton belt, hunting knife and a huge
Revolver. He wore a cheap flannel shirt,
rough trousers thrust into common,
awkward boots heavily spurrcd and a
\ cheap SLOUGH felt hat, but | detected il
suit of fine black cloth hanging in Il
corner of the room, and there were
hos - 4ina
the place, more or less hidden, bnt sull
evident to an observant eye.
"Confound the fellow" growled
lieutenant Reed as we rode homcward
discomfited and irritated He will lose
his scalp one of these days. Serve him
night, too, the obstinate beggar But
there is something about the man like
IN spite of his airs. I'd give Il month 5
pay to know his past history"
perhaps it's the old sordid story" l
suggested. "A scrape of some kind.
Short in his accounts, a sudden exit
and all the rest of it. "
"No, g." replied Reed positively, Il am
sure it's not that. He is no common
rascal I'd stake my commission on
that
1 agreed with him, and our rebuff
only stimulated my curiosity the more
and made me the more determined to
Penetrate the mystery surrounding the
orange man living alone out there in
the "Valley of Death. " \ week later
xode to Omer's jacale by myself, He
Was at home, engaged i'll SHINING a
Y freshly killed antelope before the door
Of his hut, while the hungry dog sat by,
expectant Of his share.
He gave me cold and frOwning re-
ception, but was prepared for that and
seated myself unlimited upon horse
hide stool to wait until he should have
finished his work. l uttered some COM
monplaces as to the weather i'll the eff
fort to open a conversation, but he
vouchsafed no reply, going on method
ioally with his occupation i'll scowling
EilenCe.
When he had completed his task, he
arose. wiped his knife and thrust 1t in
to its sheath, then, turning sharp upon
me, said in stern, abrupt tone:
"Well, sir, what do you want?'
was so disconnected that for the
moment had no answer ready.
"Why do you come here" he went
ON. "when l have given it to be under
stood with sufficient plainness that
desire no visitors?"
q You are hardly courteous, sir"
managed to reply stittly.
81 have no intention of being so, " he
said in the same uncOmpromising tone.
II wish to see nobody. wish to be left
entirely to myself. 1 established myself
Ia this barren spot hoping that l should
escape intrusion upon my privacy, but
ii seems that l am to be prosecuted by
every impertinent idler who takes 1t IN
to his head to force himself upon me- .
You have said quite enough, sir, "
fetorted contemptuously, ''You are
upon your own ground here, and an
antintruder. as you intimate, though
trust not an impertinent one. be&
yopr pardon and bid you good day. "
He colored and looked uncomfortable
butsaid nothing, as turned and walked
quietly to where my horse was fastened
ASH was preparing to mount, however
he called to me in an altered tone:
"Wait moment, sir. l ask you
pardon most sincerely. l am consciou
that | have treated you very shabbily
There are reasOns'-he broke off anC