The National tribune., 1902-11-27

awoke somewhat refreshed and rested,
but miserably thirsty. Cavanaugh was
talking wildly, with eyes starting from
their sockets; he appeared to see water
everywhere. Lipowitz and his horse had
disappeared during the night; the Ser
geant next in rank being under arrest, the
command of the party now devolved upon
me; but I knew there was little to COM
mand under such distressing circum-
stances. We held n consultation, and l ad-
vised an immediate return to Alamo
Wells. By adopting this suggestion we
knew exactly that We had only to retrace
our steps upon the track made, we knew
how far We had to go. and we knew for
a certainty whittier we We're going, while,
| if we followed the direction taken there
was blank uncertainty as to everything.
The desert. as seen from a little knoll,
looked endless. l would not order any
body to follow me: it was a matter of
life and death. each could act according
to his own inclination; but by keeping to-
gether We could mutually encourage each
other. the stronger could assist the weaker.
etc. They all approved of my view, and
We started, after making huge fire with
dry grass. We threw upon it large bun
dies of green twies in order to produce
smoke. which might call the attention of
searching parties towards our tracks.
DESERT BURIAL.
| Oar progress was necessarily slow:
about noon we had recrossed the prairie
grass and began making towards the cross
| ing of the ravinc, when the conduct of
poor CavnnauSh brought us to halt.
This unfortunate man was a fearful sight
| to behold; his tongue WIS protruding from
his mouth, black and swollen. He now
began TO utter narticul;ite sounds, threw
himself upon the ground. tapping sand,
e.
Authorization; his mind was evidently wall
dering. his eyes were blood-slot. his fea-
lures distorted. For abont half u mile
farther we managed to lead hin under the
burning sun. All mt once he made lurch
which freed him from his leader, then he
| fell like log, gave one deep gasp. and
expired. After while we buried him in
| the sand as best we could, erecting a
mound over his resting place and firmly
fixing his musket into the top of tie
mound, with strip of paper attached
conveying the necessary information. The
Dragons California Volunteer Cavalry,
attracted by our fire, as we learned latter.
found him shortly afterwards and gave
him more decent burial than our distress
ing circumstances admitted.
You can better imagine than can re-
late with what sad feelings we resumed
our march. but we dragged slowly along.
the iSSlSll1lp the NtdheE, wei
knowing that our only salvation consisted
in keeping steadily ahead. We We're III Il
measure buoyed up by the hope that some
of our people had seen our smoke and
would hurry to our assistance. Shorty af-
ter nightfall we reached the watcrlioles
previously mentioned. We all soaked
handkerchief or rag to moisten our
threats, necks and chests. One Scheller,
a Belgian, could not resist the temptation
to drink. and swallowed some of the
brown alkai water; it made him miser
ably sick for while. After a few hours
rest we resumed the march ON the tracks
leading to the hay camp and thence re-
sumed the road towards Alamo Wells.
A PLEASANT SURPRISE.
About midnight, as we were passing by
some bushes. a man in soldiers clothing
stepped from behind them and chal-
lenged: Il ,llO. who comes there?" / an
swered Immediately, and asked back:
"Who are you and what are you doing
here?''
oh" said the man, whom l recog
nized now. 81 am only Shmidt of your
company; 1 goes out nit you day before
yesterday, but 1 no likes the looks of the
road. so / stays pehint nit myself, cause
/ knows You comes back dis way purity