Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-05-16

ton of the San Bernardino chain. The
region around Salton is low, being sew
eral feet below the sea level, and in the
basin was formed the famous Salton sea.
North of the railroad track the country
rises abruptly. Over these rocks and
through these mountains we were TO pick
cur way and reach the great desert be-
yond. We would have to carry water.
not being able to get any till we reached
Dos Palmas. In the old stage coaching
days this was Il stage station, and Il
fairly-decent spring bubbles here MAX
ing Il gay piece of verdure in the sur
rounding grayneSS.
We started early in the morning for
our walk toward the mountains. In my
own mind. I determined that when the
walk became too painful [ would drop
the quest of the phantom ship, but of
this not word to Riley. Heavens! how
that sun burned! The sand was hot
fiercely burning the sole of the foot even
through the heavy shoe. And yet it was
morning. And when the sun came up
The man who is walking on the desert
strolling after phantom ships is not like
ly to forget the sunrise. Up he comes
red and angry. like a great molten ball
of red fire, and as his rays Green along
the desert the very earth seems to pal
pltate under his burning advance. The
shrubs seem to grow smaller; they look
as If Trey were shrinking into themselves,
VI C.t1AA-S lis lltlCc dpplOdCIl. anu then
the country which has been suddenly en-
yeloped in cool, soft haze becomes sud
denly pink, and then yellow, and then
when he Is fully free from the rim of
the world and can throw his beams full
upon the deserts face he stares into
pulsating motion.
Riley [ said, 81 think we had bet
ter take a halt. This is getting so
deucedly hot
''Boshr' said Riley, ''why, this Amt
hot a bit. Wait till we have been four
or i've days at it, and then you will be
used to it,
Heaven Forbid I thought; 81 am
sick and sore unto death now I've got
an uncomfortable feeling that l am get
ting sunstroke: my back is scorched; my
neck is like a piece of raw beefsteak, and
this is the first day OUT
But Riley was supremely happy. His
skin was so we'll hardened that the sun
took no effect upon it. He trudged along
after the burrO. humping and caressing
him and telling him what he would do
when he found the ship.
That ship was forever in our minds
We spoke about it even in our sleep. We
discussed the quantity and even the quail
ity of the treasure. In fact, we became
possessed with the idea that we firm
ly believed it was safe in our possession.
Sometimes a terrible thought would
fall upon Riley. Some ''mean cuss'' may
possibly have been before him and have
rifed the vessel. Then he would get to
using prOfane language. And Riley could
be remarkably profane. We promised
that lucky individual death in all shapes.
But nothing would satisfy Riley except
to cut his heart out and have fried
steak.
Because" said Riley, that ship is
ours, and don't you forget it, and we'll
share and share alike. and don't you for
get it. And if you goes back you'll
regret it, SO keep right on while you're
out. It's as easy to die going on as it's
as easy to die going back, SO l says go
on
And Riley rather cheered me.
We were camped out one night on the
mountains, and at our feet lay the great
Salton basin Shimmering like q vast bowl
of molten silver in the brilliant moon
light. And as we gazed upon that sill
very sea quaint forms fashioned them
selves upon the surface.
by gum" said Riley. Il have seen
them mirages in the daytime, but rarely
at night
And so we gazed on at the lake; we
saw beautiful gardens, spires of cathe
drals, towns, villages; in truth, very
pleasing panorama was spread out be-
fore us. But Riley was soon asleep. /
watched on and on, and then [ grew
startled.
[ sprang to my feet. I stared out be-
fore me in an agony of fear, of excite
ment, something clutched at my heart as
if with a fierce grip. [ called to Riley.
He too sprang up and stood by me, and
his lips opened, but he made no outcry.
We clutched each other by the arm,
our fingers digging deeply into the flesh,
and we stared on with stare Of frenzy
for there sailing before our eyes was the
ship-the phantom ship Of the Colorado
desert 1t was no phantom ship: There
she was. Her great high poop, her four
masts, her rigging intact. There she lay
SO huge and still. 1t was no phantom of
the mind. but the ship. She was Span
ish galleon. We could almost make out
guns on the deck; we counted the port
holes. There she was-indeed, it was no
myth. but the true ship, and we had
found the ship. And then the lights
changing the ship faded from out Of our
sight.
Riley and 1 sat up the rest of the night.
There was the ship" said Riley. Her
reflection was what we saw. She IS
somewhere to the north here
But" said [, more coolly, 1--WE saw
towns. There are no towns here"
''Oh, we imagined that" he replied,
with a fine disregard for his belief i'll the
ship:
enough of this. [ vote we turn back
Back" he shouted, latter | have seen
the ship! Not much! You go back if
you like. But [ am going right along.
You are afraid, that is what you are"
And SO we nearly came to Quarreling.
We two alone on this desert. If [ killed
Riley or Riley killed me, the crime
would never have been found out, and
it is always wiser for men to part COM
pany on the desert when they commence
to quarrel. SO Riley and [ next morning
parted. He went on northeast; [ went
south, and reached the oCtposts of civil
zation safely.
Two months afterward I received an
ill-written scrawl given me by a pros
pector who had been given it by Riley
Riley said he had located the ship. It's
treasure was boundless, and did not |
regret that | had not gone with him?
He added that he expected to be along
side the vessel in one week.
That is the last [ heard of Riley I
never heard Of him again. nor never
shall. He is probably another victim
who fell in the quest Of the phantom
ship of the Colorado desert.-San Fran
cisco Bulletin.
Practically Worthless.
When Tom Johnson, son Of Herschel