Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-10-23
A STUDY IN SCARLET
Pant II-Chapter I-Continued.
BY a. CONAN DOYLE.

'In course he did said her COM
panion, rainier startled by this unex-
pected question.
He made the country down in Hi
nois. and He made the Missouri" the
little girl continued. 81 guess some
body else made the country in these
parts. It's not nearly so well done.
They forgot the water and the trees"
What would We think of offering up
prayer the man asked diffidently.
1T amt night yet" she answered.
1T don't matter. 1t amt quite regu-
lar. but He won't mind that. you bet!
You say over them ones that you used
to say every night in the wagon when
we was on the plains"
why don't you say some yourself?"
the child asked, with wondering eyes.
II disremember them" he answered,
81 hain't said none since was half the
height O. that gun. guess it's never
too late. You say them out. and I'll
stand by and come in on the choruses."
Then you'll need to kneel down. and
me too she said, laing the shawl out
for that purpose. you've got to put
your hands up like this. 1t makes you
feel kind of good"
1t was a strange sight, had there
been anything but the buzzards to see
1t. Side by side on the narrow shawl
knelt the two wanderers-the little,
prattling child and the reckless hard
ened adventurer.
Her chubby face and his haggard
angular visage were both turned up to
the cloudless heaven in heartfelt en-
treaty to that dread being with whom
they were face to face, while the two
notes.-the one thin and clear, the
other deep and harsh-united in the
entreaty for mercy and forgiveness.
The prayer finished, they resumed
their seat in the shadow of the bowl
der until the child fell asleep, nesting
upon the broad breast of her protect
or.
He watched over her slumber for
some time, but Nature proved to be
too strong for him.
For three days and three night he
had allowed himself neither rest nor
repose.
Slowly the eyelids dropped over the
tired eyes, and the head sunk lower
and lower upon the breast. until the
mans grizzled beard was mixed with
the golden tresses of his companian.
and both slept the same deep and
dreamless slumber.
Had the wanderer remained awake
for another half hour a strange sight
would have met his eyes.
Far away on the extreme verge of
the alkali plain, there rose up little
spray of dust, very slight at first, and
hardly to be distinguished from the
mists of the distance, but gradually
growing higher and broader until it
formed a solid, well-defined cloud
This cloud continued TO increase in
size until it became evident that it
could only be raised by a great multi
tude of moving creatures.
In more fertile spots the observer
would have come to the conclusion
that one of those great herds of bisons
which Craze upon the prairie land was
approaching him.
This was obviously impossible in
these arid wilds. AS the whirl of dust
drew nearer to the solitary bluff upon
which the two castaways were repos-
ing the canvas-covered tilts of wagons
and the figures of armed horsemen be-
gan to show up through the haze. and
the apparition revealed itself as being
a great caravan upon its journey for
the West.
But what a caravan! When the head
of it had reached the base of the noun
tains the rear was not yet visible on
the horizon.
Right across the enormous plain
stretched the struggling array wagons
and carts, men on horseback. and men
on foot. Innumerable women who
staggered along under burdens, and
children who toddled beside the wag-
ons or peeped out from under the white
coverings.
This was evidently no ordinary party
of immigrants, but rather some nomad
people who had been compelled
through stress of circumstances to
seek a new country.
There rose through the clear air a
confused Gathering and rumbling from
this great mass of humanity, with the
creaking of wheels and the neighing
horses.
Loud as it was. it was not sufficient
to rouse the two tired wayfarers above
them.
At the head of the column there rode
a score or more of grave, iron-faced
men clad in sombre homespun gar.
ments and armed with rifles.
On reaching the base of the bluff
they halted and held a short council
among themselves.
"The wells are to the right. my
brothers" said one a hard-lipped
clean-shaven man with grizzly hair.
ITO the right of the Sierra Blanco-
SO we shall reach the Rio Grande,"
said another.
Fear not for water" cried third
"He who could draw it from the rocks
will not now abandon His own chosen
people"
Amen, Amen" responded the
whole party.
They were about to resume their
Journey when one of the youngest and
keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation
and pointed up at the rugged crag
above them
From its summit there fluttered lit
tie wisp of pink. showing up hard and
bright against the gray rocks behind
At the sight there was a general
refining up of horses and unslinging
of guns, while fresh horsemen came
galloping up to reinforce the vanguard.
The word Redskins" was on every