The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-10-06

zled beard was mixed with the golden
tresses OF his companion, and both
slept the same deep and dreamless
lumber.
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 alkaIi plain
there rose up a little spray of dust, very
| slight at first, and hardly to be dis
tinguished from the mists of the dis
lance, but gradually growing higher
and broader until 1t formed a solo,
well-def1ned cloud. This cloud con-
tinued to increase In size until 1t be-
came evident that it could only b.
raised by a great multitude of moving
creatures. In more fertile spots the OBJ
server would LAY come to the con-
clusion that one of those great herds
of bisons which Craze upon the prairie
land vas approaching him. This was
obviously impossible In these arid
wilds. As the whirl of lust drew
nearer to the solitary bluff upon which
the two castaways were reposing, the
canvas covered tits of wagons and the
figures of armed horsemen began t.
show up through the haze, n the ap-
partition revealed itself as being a great
caravan upon it's 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 enor-
nous plain stretched the struggling
array, wagons n carts, men on horse
back, and men on foot. Innumerable
women who staggered along under bur-
dens, and children who toddled beside
the wagons or peeped out from under
the white coverings. This was evident
ly no ordinary party of immigrants.
but rather some nomad people who
had been compelled from stress of cir
cumstances to seek themselves a new
country. There rose through the clear
air a confused Gathering and rumbling
from his great mass of humanity. with
the creaking of wheels and the neigh
ing horses. Loud as It was, II was not
sufficient to rouse the two tired
farers above them.
AT the head of tho column there rose
a score or more Of raw iron-faceo
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.
1.-THE wells are to the right, my
brothers." said one, a hard-lipped.
clean-sllaven 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 a third.
He who could draw 1t from the rocks
will not now abandon His own chosen
people.|
Amen! Amen!" responded the who's
party.
| fry&-., AhAt,& - ct.r4 THAR
journey when one of the youngest ana
keenest-eyed uttered an exclamation
and pointed UP at the rugged crag
above them. From it's summit there
nuttered a little wisp of pink. shown
up hard and bright against the gray
rocks behind. At the sight there was
a general refining of horses and I'M
singing of guns, while fresh horseme1
came galloping up to reinforce the van
guard. The word 'Redskin" was OF
every lip.
"There can't be any number Of Injuns
here" said the elderly man who APP
peared to be in command. wv have
passed the Pawnees. and there are no
other tribes until we cross the great
mountains"
"Shall I go forward and see. Brother
Stangerson?" asked one of the band
And l." And l." cried a dozen voices.
leave your horses below and We
will wait you here" the elder answered.
In a moment the young fellows hss,
~dismounted, fastened their horses. and
We're ascending the precipitous slopa
which led up to the object which ha |
excited their curiosity. They advanced
rapidly and noiselessly, with the con-
fdence and dexterity OF practise |
c-nnfe Tho nyofohorc FROM fha Main
below could see them fit from rock
to rock until their figures stood out
against the skyline. The young man
who had first given the alarm was
leading them. Suddenly his followers
saw him throw up his hands, as though
overcome with establishment, and on
joining him they were affected in the
same way by the sight which met their
eyes.
On the little plateau which crowned
the barren hill there stood r single
giant bowlder, and against this bowlder
there lay a tall a long-bearded and
manufactured, but of an excessive
thinness. His placid face and regular
breathing shove that he was fast
asleep. Beside him lay a little child.
with her round white arms encircling
his brown. sinewy neck. n her
golden-haired head resting upon the
breast of his velveteen tunic. Her
rosy lips were parted. showing the reg
ular line of snow-white teeth within,
and a playful smile played over her
infantile features. Her plump little
white legs, terminating in white
socks and neat shoes with shin
ing buckles, offered a strange contrast
to the long, shriveled members OF her
companion. On the ledge Of rock above
this strange couple there stood three
solemn buzzards. who, at the sight OF
the newcomers, uttered raucous
screams of disappointment and Tapped
sullenly away.
The cries o" the foul birds awoke the
two sleepers. who stared about them
in beWilderment. The man staggered
to his feet and looked down upon the
plain which had been so desolate when
sleep had overtaken him. and which
was now traversed by this enormous
body of men and beasts. His face as
sumed an expression of incredulity as
he gazed, and he passed his bony hand
over his eyes.
"This is what they call delirluin, |
guess he muttered. The child stood
beside him. holding on to the skirt OF