The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1907-07-27
CHAPTER l.

1recipifous slopes of the Sierra of the
Wi5d river, at no great distance from the
source of the Green river, that great
western Colorado which pours its waters
Into the Calf of California.
1t was about seven in the evening; the
traveller rode along, shivering from the
effects of an icy wind which wbistled
uaourrifuliy through the canyons. All
around had assumed a saddening aspect
zn the vacillating moonbeams. lie rode
on without hearing the football of his
horse, as it fell on the winding sheet of
snow that covered the landscape; at times
ehe cnpricious windings OF the track he
was following compelled him to pass
Through thickets, whose branches, bent
hY the weight of snow, stood out before
him like gigantic skeletons, and struck
each other after he had passed with a
G1llen snap.
The traveller continued his journey,
booking anxiously on both sides of him.
His horse, fatigued by long ride, stun
hled at every step, and in spite of the
repeated encouragement of its rider seem
cd determined to stop short, when, after
earning an angle in the track, it suddenly
entered large clearing where the close
growing grass formed circle about forty
yards in diameter and the verdure formed
n CHEEKY contrast with the Wilderness that
surrounded it
Heaven be praised !" the traveller ex-
claimed in excellent French, there Is
spot where can camp for tonight with
eu< any excessive Inconvenience"
While thus speaking the traveller had
stopped his horse and dismounted. His
Gxst attention was paid to his horse, from
which he removed the saddle and bride,
aaa which he covered with his sarape, APP
gearing TO attach no Importance to the
Oo,d, which was, however, extremely Sc
we're in these elevated regions. So soon
ax 1t was free the animal, in spite Of it's
fatigue, began browsing heartily on the
grass, and thus reassured about his COM
Ranion, the traveller began thinking about
making arrangements for the night
III was no easy task to find dry irewood
nt a spot almost lenuded of trees, and
whose soil, covered with snow, except
Nm the clearing, allowed nothing to be
distinguished; but the traveller was pa
tient, be would not be beaten. and within
an hour he had collected sufficient wood
90 feed through the night two such fires
ms he proposed kindling.
-Ah ah,' said the traveller, "the fire
will do, SO now for supper"
Then fumbling in the double pockets.
which travellers always carry fastened to
the saddle, he took from them all the re-
quisite clements of frugal meal; that is
% say, penmican and tassajo or meat
AL sK. a -
nfter shutting up his alforgas, the trav-
eler raised his head to lay his meat on
the embers 10 broil, he stopped motion
8ess, with widely opened mouth, and it
was only through mighty strength of
will that he suppressed cry of surprise
and possibly of terror. Although no sound
had revealed his presence, man, leaning
on long rife, was standing motionless
before him and gazing at him with pro-
found attention.
At once mastering the emotion he felt,
cine traveller carefully laid the tassajo on
afe embers, and then without removing his
&ye from this strange visitor, he stretched
out his arm to grasp his rifle, while say
ing in a tone of the most perfect indif-
Eeence:
Whether friend or foe, you are well
come, mate. 'Tis bitter night, so IL you
are cold, warm yourself, and If you are
hungry, eat. When your nerves have re-
gained their elasticity and your body It's
usxal strength we will have a frank ex-
PLANTATION, such as men of honor ought to
have"
The stranger remained silent for some
seconds; then, after shaking his head sew
.erai times, said In low and melancholy
voice, as if speaking to himself:
Can any human being really exist in
whose heart feeling Of pity still re-
naainsT'
MAKE the trial, mate" the traveller an
Twered, 4by accepting without hesitation
my hearty offer. Two men who meet in
the desert must he friends, unless private
seasons make them implacable enemies.
Sit down and eat"
This dialogue had been held In Spanish,
N language the stranger spoke with a
facility that proved his Mexican origin.
He seemed to reflect for moment and
then instantly made up his mind.
-'I accept" he said, ''for your voice Is
too sympathizing and your glance too
frank to deceive.
'sThat is the way to speak," the trav-
sser said gaily "Sit down and eat with
out further delay"
The stranger smiled sadly. The two
men then attacked with no ordinary vigor
the provisions placed before them. The
general appearance of the stranger was
most wretched and his ragged clothes
scarce covered his bony. heshless body \.
while his pale and sickly features were
rendered more sad and gloomy by a thick,
disordered beard that fell on his chest.
His eyes, infamed by fever and sur
rouusled by black circles, glistened with
sosnb We FIRE. His weapons we're in as bad
= COZ dition as his clothes. yet there was
IN bfa something grand ard sympathetic