Barton County democrat., 1901-08-23
lcopyrighted. 1900. by the j. B. Lippincott Col
CHAPTER III.

At one of the desert stations in the
Humboldt Valley physician boarded
the train under telegraphic orders
from the company and went some
distance up the road.
He had brought lint and bandages
and soothing lotions, but in several
cases said no change was advisable.
that, with handkerchiefs contributed
by the passengers and bandages made
from surplus shirts, little Miss Ray
had eXtemporized well and had skill
fully treated her bewildered patients.
Questioned and complimented both,
Miss Ray blushingly admitted that
she had studied "First Aid to the
Wounded" and had had some instruc-
tions in the post hospitals of more
than one big frontier post. Passen-
gers had ransacked bags and trunks
and presented spare clothing to the
few recruits whom the garments
would fit. But most of the men were
shoeless and blanketed when morn
ing dawned, and all were thankful
when served with coffee and a light
breakfast, though many even then
We're too much excited and some in
too much pain to eat.
Mellen, the laughing and joyous lad
of yesterday, was nursing blistered
hand and arm and stalking about the
car in stocking feet and pair of
trousers two sizes too big for him.
Murray, now that the corporal was
no longer able to retain active COM
mand, had resumed his truculent and
staggering manner. Almost the first
thing he did was to demand more
money of Foster, and call him liar
when told that every dollar was
burned. Then he sought to pick a
fight with Hunt, who had, as he ex-
pressed it, "roped him like steer"
but the carload by this time had had
too much of his bluster and made
common cause against him.
Two brawny lads gave him fair
warning that if he laid finger on
Hunt they would '.lay him out" Then
he insisted on seeing the corporal
And with such diversion the long day
wore on.
Stuyvesant, refreshed by several
hours of sleep, yet looking somewhat
singed and blistered, went through
the car to see the sufferers along to-
wards IL o'clock. He had inquired of
the porter for Miss Ray, who was not
visible when he had finished his
toilet, and was told that she had re-
manned up until after the doctor
came aboard, and was now sleeping.
Finding three of the men stretched
in the berths with comrades tanning
them, he ordered cooling drinks COM
pounded by the steward, and later, as
they began the climb of the Sierras
and the men grew hungry, he sought
to get substantial luncheon for
them on the diner, but was told their
supply on hand was barely sufficient
for the regular passengers.
So when the train stopped at
Truckee he tumbled off with three of
the party, bought up a quantity of
bread and cheese. soda crackers and
fruit, and after consultation with the
conductor wired ahead to Sacramen-
to for a hot dinner for Is men to
be ready at the restaurant in the
station, it being now certain that
they could not reach San Francisco
before midnight. The company
ought to do that said the trainmen,
and "the company" had authorized
the light breakfast rendered earlier
ia the day. In view of the fact that
every item of personal property in
possession of the recruits had been
destroyed. together with every crumt
of their rations, nobody questioned
that the company would only be too
glad to do that much for the men so
nearly burned alive in their travel
ing holocaust.
Not doubt was entertained among
either passengers or trainmen as to