Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-04-13

1T is something over 20 years since
| | accompanied a small military
expedition, under Lieut.. Isaac Murphy,
which went from the Rio Grande west
ward TO establish a new post in Ari-
IONA. Several "tenderfoots," bent up
on prospect and discovery, were al
lowed TO travel with the command over
route beset with danger from attack
by hostile Comanches and Apaches.
and, although the lieutenant did not
admit IL, think he was not altogether
displeased by the addition TO his fight
ing power of the half-dozen we'll
armed. well-mounted and well-pro-
yisioned civilians.
But at Socorro we were Joined by an
individual. a fresh arrival from the
north, VINO attached himself to the
expedition without so much as by
your leave, gentlemen" tall, un-
calmly. cadaverous and solemn person
he was. his age guessable at anywhere
between 30 and so. He was cross
eyed and so near-sighted that he wore
cumbrous. large bowed spectaeles to
correct his vision. He had the thin
cheeks and hacking cough Of con-
sumptve. Moreover. he had no rid
ing animal. and the two burros he had
been able to buy in Socorro, to which
point his goods had been sent, were
SO heavily laden with his trappings
that they looked detected.
"See here, Mr.. Man. said Lieut..
Murphy, as we broke camp, you can't
travel with this outfit You're phys
ically unfit for the trip and my two
wagons are loaded to the limit"
mo trouble TO you, trust. sir
hmm" said the stranger, who had
already been dubbed 'the Professor.
mo real disability, sir-h-m-m; Just
touch of Observation-Disclosures;
find this dry atmosphere a great help,
sir" He spoke in a calm. decisive
tone, but coughed at every other SEN
tence. "I'll come on in your rear, sir;
can't ride In saddle on account OF gas
tritis-h-m-m-just a touch. sir!
Good graciousl" muttered Murphy.
bronchitis, gastritis, cross-eyes, false
teeth, and afooti Well. sir" he added.
in a louder tone. for the man was APP
parently somewhat deaf, Il suppose
we must leave a trail behind us"
The tall stranger bowed gravely and
went on with packing his burros, a
task which he accomplished with sur
prising neatness and speed. When we
moved away from Socorro he fell in
respectfully behind our six-mule
freight-wagons, came on al an I'M
wearied swing for the 24-mile stretch
which brought us to our first water
hole and coolly camped within our
picket lines.
ewe1l lose him tomorrow. said
Murphy TO his mess. "Cacti!" and he
! chuckled contentedly.
Our trail the next day led over a high
mesa carpeted with prickly-pear, a
mating OF thorns so dense that the
passing Of q holf-dozen ''freighters
could have offered no protection 10
feet less well-shod than those Of a
mule. Yet the professor plodded IN
dauntedly across this stretch. and,
much TO our establishment. came into
camp at night without limping.
our surprise gave place to a degree
, of respect when We noted that the
professor wore wooden shoes lined
] with chamois-skin. He certainly Lad
proved himself an experienced trav-
eler-and now his cheeks were showing
sunburn and his cough seemed less
/ incassant
To the ruder jolers Of the command
the professor afforded unlimited
amusement His ungainly figure aud
lantern jaws. his "butter-milk eye
and -back-action eye-gear."
his air Of intent gravity when pack
\ ing. unpackinE. OF when cooking his
meals. his big gun case, which meas
ured the length Of a burro and
whaoked its patient bearer. now and
/ then. upon the Jaw. his carefully
guarded and ucver-opened packs. bis
| general oWiishness-all furnished no
end OF fun 20 the cavalrymen.
II was inevitable that the man
should overhear some OF the passing
ribes anent his unoommonness; but
he continued 20 mind his own business
with gravity and gave no sign.
When we had fairly entered the Tu-
! t.r,sa raura the professor was Or