The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-08-03
THE ENEMY ROUTED

to America alone in my travels after
game. l Will give you a little ex-
perience of mine when l was travelling
in Australia. l had left what l called
my home station" and was making
an excursion in the blue gum" forest
l had gallored about twenty miles.
D:smouLt:ng from the horse I sat
down to take lunch. A large flock
Of cockatcos, those beautiful white
parrots with yellow crests, came cir
cling around and alighted in the trees
overhead. was watching the curious
maneuvers OF these birds as they were
chattering and hopping about among
the limbs. when they stopped suddenly,
AZ II alarmed. Somethink was evident
y approaching Of which they were in
Dread They set up an awful scream,
and with a tremendous flutter spread
their wings and flew away.
Just at that moment a large black
collie dog came bounding out of the
bushes and suddenly stopped In front
The dog passed; eyed me keenly; then,
coming slowly UP walked around me,
and at last approached and licked my
hand. which l held out to him. He
then ran away.
had never seen a dog act in so
singular manner, and was wondering
what it could men. when sharp,
joyful bark warned me that he was
returning. and, sure enough, he had
come back. wagging his tail. and fol-
lowed by the gaunt figure Of man,
thinly clad. barefooted, and with
wide brimned, frayed straw hat on his
head. He was about fifty years of
age, and as he removed his hat. and
made me we'll hammered, dignified
bow. I could see that though he was
undoubtedly shepherd, he had once
been a gentleman.
AS he stood bareheaded before me.
the wind blew his long. thin, sandy
hair about his brow. and he regarded
me with a strange, far-off look in his
eyes. I met several shepherds after
this, and noticed that same strained
expression. They live so much alone
without seeing human being, that
they form this habit of looking over
the plains. hoping that they may catch
sight Of some one to relieve the awful
monotony OF their lives.
The man sat down quietly beside me
and eat sparingly and rather mechani-
caly OF the lunch. always sharing his
morsel with Jack. his dog. took out
Task Of whiskey and pouring out
some Of II into cup offered my guest
q drink His eyes beamed with a long
ing look as he saw the liquor. and.
look. said:
mo: none of that. Put it away.
please. don't like the sight OF it,"
1t now dawned upon me that my
friend was reformed drunkard who
had come out to this lonely part Of the
heard that there were many such in
Australia. and that the shepherds life
was chosen as being the most isolated
one thar could be found.
rose TO make my departure, when
he said:
You won't go tonight will you?
It's too late. wish you would stay
in my hut tonight. It's so long since
] have seen a human face-over three
months. A man only comes once In a
great while 10 bring provisions. and
that Is all we see Of humanity from
q, M cfo
tonight. won't your
'1d like to oblige you" replied.
but they will be uneasy about me at
the hcme station
But are you sure you know the
way? You might get lost"
'oh. no." replied.
The poor fellow hung his headand
looked the picture CT despair.
How far is the hut?' I asked.
only mile. assure you.'
agreed to go to it. SO he started
of at good pace. fearing l might
change my mind. suppose. The dog
ran ahead. barking. ard I followed on
horseback. We soon came upon his
hut. It was built OF mud. sticks ard
straw. with the hard earth for floor
The shepherd prepared cup OF tea
the usual beverage Of the bush.
The sun had gone down behind the
low horizon with the same effect that
1t does at sea. AS we sat outside, upon
a couple Of rude blocks of wood
drinking our refreshing tea. the moon
rose up. shedding its soft light over
the mysterious scene; there was no
sound but the distant tinkle OF a
sleeps bell and the cracking OF the
little fire that was boiling the tea.
The smoke went up straight and ST.
lently into the still air. The loneli-
ness was bad enough with two men:
what must it be with one?
felt that there was something more
in my profound acquaintance than 1
had as yet learned. so lighted my pipe
ard began to draw 1t out. Here was a
man who. 10 judge from his manner
and speech. must have been tenderly
reared ard highly educated. and one
too, who had practiced the busy calling
ne the ia M vet ", a few vears NJ Son1o.