The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-01-25
My to fade into the desert as he

stOSoC VI NAC EVu u tCllQtS
men into his valley with the lure Of
gold and saps the lifeblood from their
bodies drop by drop. Drop by drop
hear it falling. Mott is water / heari
There it is! How cool it looksr'
Dick rose and staggered toward the
cliff. In his delirium of thirst he saw
streams Of water gush down the noun
tain side. Holding out his arms, he
cried, Saved, savedr'
His hands fell Imply by his sides
as the illusion faded. He then dou-
bled them into fists and shook them at
the cliff in last defiance Of despair.
you shan't drive me madv'
He seized his empty canteen. press
ing it to his lips.
no; drained that two days ago, or
was it three?" he whispered in panic
as he threw it aside.
Picking up his gun. he falteringly at
tempted the ascent. II won't give up
I won't!'' he shouted huskily. i've
fought the desert before and con-
quered. I'll conquer again-I1r'-
His will power ebbed with his fail.
ing strength. Blindness fell upon him.
Oblivion swept over him. He sank,
dying of thirst. in the sands Of the
desert
AS the buzzards find the dead. so an
Apache crept upon Dick as he lay pros
trate. But as the Indian aimed he
heard footsteps from a draw. He saw
a man approaching the spring. Silent
~ he fed behind the rocks.
1t was Jack He had entered the
lava beds from the east. closely fol-
lowing the man for whom he had
searched for SO many weary months.
Others Of the Apaches had marked
him already. Knowing he would go to
the spring, they waited warily to learn.
if he were alone. The band had scat
tered to surround him at the water
hole
Jacks horse and burro, which he had
left at the head of the canyon. were
already in the Indians possession.
With him he carried his rifle and
revolver. A canteen Of water was
slung over his shoulder. The desert
had placed its stamp upon him. turn
ing his clothes gray. The tan of his
face was deepened. Lines about his
eyes and mouth showed how much he
had suffered physically and mentally
in his search for the man he believed
was his successful rival in love.
Reaching the spring. he looked about
cautiously before he laid down ~
rifle. He tugged at the butt of his re-
volver to make certain that it could be
pulled quickly from the holster. TAX
ing off his hat, he kne,t to drink. He
smiled and confidently tapped his can
teen when he found the spring dry.
He was raising his canteen to his lips
when he spied Dicks body.
Jumping behind rock, he pulled his
revolver, covering the insensible man.
1t might be a trap. He scanned the
trail, the cliff, the canyon. Hearing
and seeing nothing. he slipped his re-
volver into his holster and hurried to
Dicks side. At first he did not recog-
nize him. The desert and thirst had
wrought many changes in his friends
face.
When recognition came he threw his
arms about the PROSTATE form, crying,
"Dick. at last. at lastv'
His voice was broken with emotion.
The search had been 80 long. so weary
and the ending 80 sudden. He had
found Dick, but it looked as II he came
too late.
Gathering Dick up in his arms, he
raised him until his head rested on
his knees. Forcing open his mouth, he
poured little water down his throat.
Then with a moistened handkerchief
he wetted temples and wrists. Slowly
Dick struggled back to life.
"Water-water-it's waterr he gasp
ed, struggling for more of the precious
fluid.
Easy" cautioned Jack. Only
little now-more when you're strong
err"
"Who is it?" cried Dick. Not wait
ing for Jack to enlighten him, he con-
tinued mo matter-you came in time
1 couldn't have held out any longer.
All the springs are dry. l figured on
reaching Clearwater"
Jack helped Dick to his feet. TAX
ing his stricken friends right arm, he
drew It across his shoulders. With lis
left arm about his waist, Jack led him
to a seat upon convenient rock.
II came by Clearwater yesterday"
explained Jack. 1T is nothing but
mud and aIkali.'
my horse dropped three days ago. 1
had to shoot the pack mule. r.
Dick opened his eyes under the minis
trations of Jack Gazing upward into
his face, he shouted joyfully:
"Why, it's Jack-Jack Payson!'
Didn't you know me, Dick?" asked
Jack sympathetically.
mot at first My eyes went to the
bad out yonder in the glare"
The effort had been too much for
Dick. He sank weakly over Jacks