The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-01-05

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In their saddles. the riders let them
20, and they never stopped until belly
deep in the stream, their noses buried
The men shivered in their saddles.
until, at last satisfied, the ponies con-
scented to be forced back up the bank.
where they nibbled at the short tufts
OF heritage. but In a manner express
sive OF weariness. Keith flung him
self on the ground, every muscle of
his body aching, his exposed flesh still
smarting from the hail Of sand
through which they had passed.
He had not the slightest conception
as to where they were, except he
knew this must be the Salt Fork Ut
terly confused by the maze OF shifting
dunes, through whose intricacies they
had somehow found passage. the black
ness of the night yielded no clue as to
their point of emergence. The vol
ume Of water in the stream alone
suggested that in their wanderings
they must have drifted to the east
ward. and come out much lower down
than had been originally intended II
so, then they might be almost directly
south OF Carson City, and In a section
with which he was totally unacquaint-
ed. One thing was however, certain
they would be compelled to wait for
daylight to ascertain .the truth, and
decide upon their future movements.
There was another barren, sandy
stretch of desolation lying between
this Isolated valley and that OF the
Canadian and their horses would
never stand to be pushed forward
without both rest and food AS to
themselves-they had eaten their last
crumb long since, but this was not
the first time both had known starva-
ton.
Keith arose reluctantly, and remov-
ed the saddles from the animals, hob
bling them so they could Craze at
Will. Neb was propped up beneath an
out-cropping Of the bank, which partly
protected him from the wind, a mere
hulk of a shadow Keith could not
tell whether he slept or not, but made
no effort to disturb him. A moment
he stared vaoantly about into the
black silence, and then lay down, pill
lowing his head upon q saddle. He
found II impossible to sleep, the chill
Of the wind causing him to turn and
twist, In vain search after comfort,
while unappeased hunger gnawed IN
cessantly. His eyes ranged about over
the dull gloom OF the skies until they
fell again to the earth level, and then
he suddenly sat up, half believing him
self in dream-down the stream, how
far away he could not Judge, there
cleaned steady, yellowish light. 1t
was no flicker of camp fire, yet re-
NAMED stationary. Surely no star
could be SO low and large; nor did he
recall any with that popularity OF
color. II such a miracle was possible
In the heart OF that sandy desert he |
would have sworn 1t was lamp shin.
ing through window. But he had |
never heard Of any settler on the Salt |
Fork, and almost laughed at the |
thought, believing for the instant his
brain played him some elfish trick.
Yet that light was no Illusion; he rub.
bed his eyes, only to see 1t more clear
ly, convinced now Of its reality. He
strobe hastily across, and shook Neb
into semi-consciousness, dragging him
bodily up the bank and pointing down
the stream
DO you see that?" he inquired anx-
iously. There, straight ahead of
your"
The negro stared, shaking with cold,
and scarcely able to stand alone.
Maybe 1t am de moon, Massa jail"
he muttered thickly, "or a COLLINS
lantern. Lawd, don't Jest like de
looks OBJ dat ting"
well, do" and Keith laughed un.
easily at the negro's fears. "All |
wanted to know was II you saw what
saw. That's a lamp shining through
window, Neb. What in heavens
lame II can be doing here am un.
lble to guess, but I'm going to find out,
I means shelter and food, boy, even II
We have TO fight for II. Come on, the
lorses are safe, and wen discover
What is behind that light yonder."
I