The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-05-10

shivering moon sas just crcpsn1 cvcl
The jagged eastern range. Alexandcl
grunied sDd lay down Axsin, and BE,
sey goi = hurried breakfast.
''6s, up'n she aid. I'VE mus
hurry, Alexander; ii's laie,"
Alexander ate his breakfast slowly
He Was not hungry, but be ate anc
watched Betsey pack the provision IN
TO the boat.
.comr'" she cried, standing ready
10 push OF, all the resolution she pos
sesscd called 10 her aid. Come, put
your blankets in,m
Her voice shook. but il was with
cold She was JUS, as updaunted as
when she had ordered him down from
the wslI. The Indian crouched by the
fire, the girl on the thwart watching
him intenily.
"Alexanderl'' said Betsey Lee. soft
ly.
How mucha pesos'" said Alexan-
der, looking into the fire.
"Ten--siieI,p y Betsey answered,
promptly.
Alexander rolled another cigarette.
"And tobacco. Alexander. ! must
be in Yuma for that one-forty train.
Lots Of tobaccol" Betsey Lee caught
up the pole, and called cheerfully,
"pronto-Pronto, Alexander
"How much pesosi" said Alexander.
Betsey hesitated. Her voucher call
ed for sixty-fve dollars, but she might
not be able 10 get il cashed for the full
amount at any store-and she must
take as much home as possible.
"Quince pesos" she said, firmly.
No more. Come"
Alexander stood up and stretched de-
He walked 10 the side OF
the boat and stood there, shivering,
with half-determned look at Betsey.
Then he pointed 10 the little silver
watch that she had pinned outside her
coat for better convenience.
"Mei" he asked anxiously, like a
child.
"Get your blankets" ordered Bet
sey Lee, "or III go without you'll"
And sulky Alexander once more
pulled out upon the river.
AT six they stopped for another meal
and Botsey let Alexander rest and
smoke for an hour, They were running
between high rocks now. The river
was deeper here, the worst of it was
over, and Alexander had needed no
further bribe to get him into the boat
igain.
They passed Pieacbo later than Bet
'ey had hoped, for they had lost time
Down by the blueness Of
Castle Dome they sped, losing it among
he trees, and catching it again at the
urn Of the bend. Some ranchers,
at a pumping plant, stopped
@ stare at boat rowed at such speed,
md the unusual sight of girl polling
Tith the long, steady stroke Of an In
lian. They were passing ranches now
yith their little adobe houses on the
,anks above the river. And at the
Pot Holes the wood-choppers hailed
hem with rough cheer, and one cried
rom the bank above them:
wish Uncle Sam would travel that
peed!" For it was at Pot Holes that
he government had planned to build
he great dam, and take ont canals
hat would make "the desert blossom
3 the rose," and the people were i'm
'atent over the delay the little parley
With Mexico was causing.
But Betsey Lee hardly saw them,
ardly heard them. Her eyes saw only
he river and her ears heard the whistle
( the locomotive. She would not land
I noon, but offered cold beans and
Office to Alexander, and took the oars
,hile he ate. He was no longer sulky,
or he was nearing the end. Besides,
here were plenty Of men along the
anks now whom Betsey Lee could
ire TO row her in 10 Yuma.
II was nearly one O'Clock, and Yuma
'as well in sight. Betsey Lee caught
p All the tobacco she had left-fifteen
acks.
"Yours, Alexander, Rowl Row."
Alexander looked at the little silver
'atch pinned on Bc.sey Lees coat,
ut he rowed-rowed as if just starting
ut fresh for the race; and at half past
ne they had swung by the bluffs of
una, the prison, the Indian school,
nd Betsey Lee sprang out upon the
luddy banks Of the landing.
And what had come over Alexander
Ie drew in his oars with rush, and
nging blankets and pans aside, caught
p Betsey's bags, and was running up
,e shore toward the station faster
IAN Betsey could follow him.
Ten minutes! She could never reach
store and get her voucher cashed in
lat time. She would try the ticket
gent! And down the platform shed
hirled, scattering the gaily dressed
,uaws waiting with their pottery and
sskets for the incoming train, and
le heard the locomotive scream at the
wer station. She laid the crumpled
i Of paper before the agent, who
oked il over calmly.
"That's perfectly good. ] know Mr..
ay's signature, but we do not cash
ese things. Some store" I,
81 must take this train, said Betsey
re, quietly. There is no time u reach ,
store. I'm just of the river. We
I'VE rowed from Ehrenberg since yes
rday morning. | must pay this In
an; he has worked very hard, snd !
' got to get TO my brother!" I,
She still spoke quietly, but she lean
against the window. Alexander