The Glenwood post., 1912-04-06
But there was nothing. absolutely |

But there was nothing. absolutely
nothing-just that seemingly endless
stretch OF sand. circled by the blazing
sky. the wind sweeping its surface
soundless and hot. as though from the
pits OF hell: no stir. no motion. no
movement OF anything animate o. In
animate to break the awful monotony.
Death! 1t was death everywhere! mis-
aching eyes rested on nothing but
what was typical of death. Even the
heat waves seemed fantastic. gro
tesque. assuming spectral forms
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 30 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. 1t was
noon now-noon. and he had been rid
ing steadily seven hours. The thought
brought his blurred eyes again to the
horizon. Where could he be, the man
he sought in the heart of this soli-
tude? Surely he shoul Id be here by
now. If he had left the water-hole at
dawn. Could he have gone the longer
route. south to the Fork? The possi-
bility of such thing scared through
him like a hot iron. driving the dull
ness from his brain. the lethargy from
his limbs. God! no! Fate could never
play such scurvy trick as that! The
man must have been delayed: had
failed to leave camp early-some-
where ahead. yonder where the blue
haze marked the union of sand and
sky. he 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? a shadow? a spot dancing before
his tortured vision? or moving. iiv-
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
iooih6 oiehl vi lhS opJOS@ ~ hho'NN'
grew larger, darker. more real-yet
how it crawled. crawled, crawled to-
ward him. 1t seemed as If the vague.
shapeless thing would never take
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-al his soul concen-.
trated on that speck yonder Sudden
ly 1t disappeared-a swale in the sand
probably-and. when it rose into view
again. he uttered a 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.
living things under the brazen circle
of the sky Keith was ready now. mis-
eyes bright, the cooked revolver
gripped hard in his hand. The space
between them narrowed. and Hawiey
saw him. caught glimpse of the face
under the broad hat brim, the burn
ing eyes surveying him. With an oath
he 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
ITO BE CONTINUEDD