Middletown transcript., 1909-10-16
DESERT cLAlla
BY ROBERT DoRRfIAN


PIE Of downy tenderfeet, that's
what!
He rose and studied the dis
tanee between a.e and the
bottom of the vat.
There's not enod ] VI
back, he said. We'vegot to push
on.
I've heard there's q well near
Funeral Range. said Cutter, in
voice still husky with self-con-
demnation. We're not so far
from there.
Baines stared across the blast
ed level Of the desert toward the
long wsllof rock.
Inever heard so, be said. But
just where does the range Lief
Over there. After a moment
OF indecision, Cutters extended
arm indicated the direction.
don't think We can make it,
pordner. said Baines. There's
nothing topreventtrying, though.
Let's hike.
They hitched the thirsty, pro-
testing burros to the wagon and
mounted to the seat. There was
no question of walking now.
Every ounce Of strength was q
possession to be carefully hoard.
ed. Baines ficked the burros
with his whip, apd the wheels be-
gan to cut the loose sand with a
dry whine.
II is not only the fierce heat of
the desert, but tho excessive
| evaporation. that explains why
travellers there must drink such
large quantities of water; six
quarts per man is about the
average consumption in twenty
four hours. Without water there
would be no cooling evaporation,
and the terrific heat Of the sun,
combined with that developed by
breathing and oxidization, would
quickly produce q temperature
fatal to existence. Men who had
taken their last drink at sunrise
have been found dead of thirst
before sunset.
Baines and Cutter knew this,
but they felt that it was worse
than futile to speak Of it,. Be
sides, talking dries the throat.
They sat hunched forward eyes
fixed on the mountains, and
breathing painstakingly through
, their noses, The silence of the
desert-neyer SO sinister as now
employed them.
Twice before noon they mois-
tened the muzzles OF the burros7
and took q small drink apiece,
which only aggravated their
burning thirst. It was almost
impossible to swallow the food
they prepared as they rode mo-
notonously along, but it was a
momentary relief to- chew some
thing. It left their. mouth drier
than ever, however, SO dry that
the gums cracked and their ton
gues grew swollen and furry.
All day long they rode in ST.
lence over the silent waste. their
hot eyes fixed on the mountains
that seemed to dance and palpi
tate in the heat. The unclouded
sky was brsssy with fierce sun.
light. The coarse sand seemed
70 smoke under it. Not a bush
or q blade Of grass relieved the
dreadful aridity which could not
yield a lizard snstenances And |
all day long the burning air was
still as death.
Shall we keep on? asked Cut.
ter ss the sun sank, blood.red, |
behind the mountains, and the
purple shadows began to creep
stealthy out of the ravines.
Baines worked his stiff, burn
ed lips.
The burros'n break down any
minute II they don't have q rest,
be said. That's all we can give
em, poor beasts!
They halted, hunched forward
On the seat. and breathed greed
lily the nightair But there was
no rest for them. Every nerve
cell and drop OF blood cried aloud
for water, water! Cutter was
4 "A
the firSt to give in. With q
groan, be crawled back toward
the vat. Baines was at his heels
and they fought for The first dip.
perful. Il was a scanty one
The edge Of the cup ratified on
the bottom Of the vat, and for a
moment the two men stared nm
steadily st each other, sobered
By the horror of their plight.
We cant stand here and die
cried Cutter hercely /
He crawled TO the seat again,
and Nth whin and reins. ,4r0nd