The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-02-29
A TALE OF THE PLAINS
(Copyright. A. c. AcClurz q Co. 1907

With every step Of advance the
brooding silence seemed more pro-
found, more deathlike. He got to
marking the sand ridges, the slight va
riations giving play to the brain. Way
off to the left was the mirage OF
lake, apparently so real that he had
to battle with himself to keep from
turning aside. He dropped forward
In the saddle, his head hanging low,
so blinded by the incessant sun glare
he could no longer bear the glitter Of
that horrible ocean Of sand. II vas
noon now-noon, and ne had been rid
Ing steadily seven hours The thought
brought his blurred eyes again 10 the
horizon. Where could he II, che man
he sought in the heart cf this soil
tude? Surely he should be heTa by
now, If he had left the Vater-hole at
dawn. Could he have gone the longer
route, south to the Fork? The posi-
bility Of such d thing scared through
him like hot iron, driving the dull
ness from his brain. tho lethargy from
his limbs. Gc5i no Fate could never
play such q sclxg rick as that! The
man TauaL .Bafe 5een delayed; had
failed 10 cave camp early-some-
wherl ahe, yonder where the blue
maze ira Led the union Of sand and
SKY - was surely coming, riding half
dead, and dropping in the saddle.
Again Keith rose in his stirrups,
rubbing the mist out of his eyes that
he might see clearer, and stared
ahead. What was that away out yOn-
der? shadow? a spot dancing before
his tortured vision? or moving, iv-
Ing something which he actually saw?
He could not tell, he could not be
sure, yet he Strengthened up expect
antly, shading his eyes, and never
losing sight CT the object. It moved,
grew larger, darker, more real-yet
how 1t craWled, crawled, craWIed to-
ward him. 1t seemed as if the vague,
form, never stand out revealed against
the sky so he could determine the
truth. He had forgotten all else-the
silent desert, the blazing sun, the
burning wind-all his soul concen-
trated on that speck yonder. Sudden
" it disappeared-a swale in the sand
probably-and, when it rose into view
again, he uttered cry Of joy-it was
horse and rider!
Little by little they drew nearer
one another, two black specks in that
vast ocean Of sand, the only moving,
vi hiy~ thA hyo1 III
Of the sky. Keith was ready now, his
eyes bright, the cooked revolver
gripped hard in his hand. The space
between them narrowed, and Hawley
saw him, caught a glimpse of the face
under the broad hat brim, the burn
Ing eyes surveying him. With an oath
be stopped his horse, dragging at his
gun. surprised, dazed, yet instantly
understanding. Keith also halted, and
across the intervening desert the eyes
Of the two men met in grim defiance.
The latter wet his dry lips, and spoke
shortly:
II reckon you know what this
means, Hawley, and why 1 am here.
We're Southerners both of us, and
we settle our own personal affairs.
You've got to fight me now, man to
man."
The gambler glanced about him, and
down at his horse. If he thought of
hight 1t was useless. His lip curled
with contempt.
Damn your talking, Keith" he re-
turned savagely. Let's have it over :
with" and spurred his horse. The
gun Of the other came up.
"Wait!" and Hawley paused, drag
ging at his rein. Zone of us most like
ly is going to die here; perhaps both.
But If either survives he'll need a
horse to get out of this alive. Dis
mount; I'll do the same; step away
SO the horses are out of range, and
then We'll fight it QUITS that
Without a word, his eyes cleaning
with cunning hatred, the gambler
swung down from his saddle onto the
sand, his horse interposed between
him and the other. Keith did the
same, his eyes peering across the
back of his animal.
Now" he said steadily, when l
count three drive your horse aside.
and Let go-are you ready?"
Damn you-yes!"
Then look out-one! twoi three!"
The plainsman struck his horse
with the quirt in his left hand and
sprang swiftly aside 50 as to clear the
dank Of the animal, his shooting arm
1ung out There was fash of fame
cross Hawley's saddle, a sharp ne
port and Keith reeled backward,
to his knees, one hand clutch
Ing at the sand. Again Hawley fired,
but the horse, startled by the double
report, leaped aside, and the ball went
wild. Keith wheeled about, steadying
himself with his outstretched hand,
and let drive, pressing the trigger, un-
til, through the haze over his eyes, he
saw Hawley go stumbling down, shoot
ing wildly as he fell. The man never
moved, and Keith endeavored to get
up, his gun still held ready, the smoke
circling about them. He had been
shot treacherously, as a cowardly cur
might shoot, and he could not clear
bis mind Of the thought t3at this last