The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-11-30

der. The festive Shorty was no
longer visible, the cavalcade being
made up of Jimmy himself. on his
own cowpony; strange female. who
rode with the aerial grace and ele-
gance OF a feather-bed; an ugly, eve
necked pinto pony; while behind
them trotted Shorty's pony, laden with
grub and many suspicious-looking
jugs and bottles. IL would have an
peared that Limping Jimmy had dis
carded en- route his beloved bunky.
taxing instead a wife unto himself
and queerly behaved wife. at that.
10 be sure, her hair Cor as much
or it as could be seen under her huge
sunbonneD was particularly yellow
and curly, while her face was fresh
and not uncomely. Her hands were
big and rough, for Western women
are Woodworking creatures. but her
feet-these appendages were simply
enormous-were covered by an ex-
traordinarily long riding-skirt.
AS for Jimmy. that parsonage
looked passing unfamiliar in n glar-
ing new suit Of store clothes. with
boiled shirt and collar. A bristling
new red mustache adorned his upper
up, and almost any would have nut
him down as a prospector. returnine.
from trip for the disposal of his
stuff"
me trail was monotonous one:
1t had been an unusually dry season.
and the bed of the. ella River, when
they came to cross 1t, was ankle-deep
in dust. There was no water fit for
man to drink, and merely a hatful of
muddy fluid in n nearby hole. which
even the horses would not swallow
Yet this river-bank was the custom
airy camping-place for people crossing
between New Mexico and Arizona
and here Limping Jimmy and his
companion dismounted and prepared
to make camp. They had 1T all to
themselves, for. save an occasional
darting lizard, the wheeling OF a bird
against the hot, brassy sky. and the
yapping Of prairie-dogs from their
nearby burrows, there was no sign of
life.
Now. while these two canned ex-
pectantly by the dry river-bed pIav-
ing cards to pass away the time. and
steadily watching the trail. there an
preached them from the Seven-Mesa
direction. small cavalcade of
ADaches. In front rode the chief
no less a person than Wet Dog him
self-while behind him struggled y
motley collection of ponies, squaws,
and dogs, in the midst Of which was
led a beautiful Indian pony. Blue
Jay the racer, and the apple of Wet
Dogs eye.
1t was with glee that the Apache
was travelling southwark, for Blue
Jay had won practically every run at
the snake-dance; there had been con-
Sregated together many Indians
whom Wet Dog had neeced right and
left at poker. The small gunnv-sacI,
which his squaw, Lily-maid. carried
under her blanket. was full Of WoIpi
wealth, there being three hundred
dollars silver therein, not to mention
other riches in the shape of rudeIv
cut turquoises and coral and silver
beads.
Fearful as to his treasures. il had
been Wet Dogs intention to cross the
ella half a mile higher up than the
regular ford; campers at the latter
place might be COWBOYS tbereforo
dangerous. Cor an Apache breads
a cowboy, even as an ordinary fem
derfoot breads an Apachc) But the
squaw who had sneaked ahead IN ae-
certain the lay of the land. reported
that there were no vaqucros. only q
White man camped there. with his
Wife; the man played cards and dranl,
hrewater. while three ponies were
hobbled near by. The ponies were
well laden with jugs. doubtless CON
! tanning firewater.
Wet Dog hesitated land was lost,
HIS wiser instincts urged him to
hurry on with his money. turouojses
and racer; his thirst for frewater and
/ his gambling instincts told him Tn
stop and fleece the lone white man
who, if carefully enough piled with
hrewater, would be easy game For
/ had not he. the Apache. heeced white
| men before this? The gambler ruled
and Wet Dog. with his following.
made direct for the camp Of the white
couple.
/ Here. after one glance satisfvinp
] the Indian that he had never before
/ seen the American. who was probably
| p miner, Wet Dog ordered his souaV,s
/ to hobble the ponies NIeauwbiie me-
and the stranger. having partakcu of
! several drinks. proceeded to deaf for
/ poker i'm spite of the protests of the
! white woman, who declared I'm boarse
]