Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-03-27

his way past. but he had no strength
to lift those heavy bodies. Every
ounce of power must be conserved for
the preservation of life. Little as he
could see through the snow blasts
there was but one means of passage.
that along the narrow rift between the
ridges. The snow lay deep here, but
they fioundered ahead, barely able to
surmount the drifts, until suddenly
they emerged upon an open space,
sheltered somewhat by the low hills
and swept clean by the wind. Direct.
ly beneath, down wide cleft in tbe
bank, dimly visible, appeared the wei.
come waters of the Cimarron. The
stream was but partly frozen over. the
dark current flowing in odd contrast
between the banks of ice and snow
The Sergeant halted, examining his
surroundings cautiously, expecting ey-
cry instant to be fired upon by some
unseen foe. The violence of the storm
prevented his seeing beyond a few
yards, and the whirling snow crystals
blinded him as he faced the fury Of
the wind sweeping down the valley.
Nothing met his gaze; no sound reach
ed his ears; about him was desola-
ton, unbroken Wilderness. Apparently
they were alone in all that intense
dreariness of snow. The solemn lone
Illness of 1.-THE dark, silently flowing
nver, the dun sky, the wide, white ex-
panse OF plain, the mad violence of
the storm beating against him
brought to him feeling of HELPLESS
ness. He was mere atom, strug-
gl1ng alone against Natures wild
mood. Then the feeling clutched him
tnat no was not alone; that from
somewhere amid those barren wastes
hostile eyes watched. skulking MUIR
derers sought his life. Yet there was
no sign OF any presence. He could
not stand there and die. nor permit
carroll to freeze in his saddle. It
would be better to take chance: per-
maps they had become confused by the
storm.
Foot by foot, feeling his passage.
ne advanced down the gully, fairly
dragging his own horse after him.
Behlnd, held by the straining lariat.
lurched the others, the soldier sway-
lhg on the back of the last, swearing
and laughing in delirium, clutching at
snowfiakes with his hands. At the end
OIL the ravine, under shelter of the
pank, Hamlln trampled back the snow,
nerdlng the animals close, SO as to
gain the warmth of their bodies. Here
they were well protected from the
cruel lash of the wind and the shower
OF snow which blew over them and
drlfted higher and higher in the omen
space beyond. Working feverishlv.
the blood again circulating freely
through his veins, the Sergeant hasti-
~ dragged blankets from the pack
ana spread them on the ground. de.
posltlng Carroll upon them Then he
set about vigorously rubbing the sol.
oler's exposed flesh with snow The
smart OF it, together with the rough.
ness of handling, aroused the latter
from lethargy. but Hamlin, ignoring
ms resentment, gripped the fellow
Win hands of iron, never ceasing his
slolent mlnlstrations until his swear
ing ended in silence. Then he wran-
pea MIN tightly in the blankets. and
stood himself erect, glowing from the
exercise Carroll glared up at him
angrily out of red-rimmed eyes.
I'll get you for that, you big boob,n
ne shouted, striving to release his
arms from the clinging blankets. "Yon
walt! I'll get you'll"
Hush up, George. and 90 to
Sleep" the other retorted, poking the
shapeless body with his foot. his
thoughts already elsewhere. Don't
be fool. I'll get fire If can and
something hot into you. Within an
hour you'll be man again. Now see
here-stop that! Do you hear? Yon
lie still right where you are, Carroll
until l come back. or I'll kick vour
ribs I'M" He bent down menacinplv
scowling into the upturned face "Wui
you mind. or shall have to hand Won
one?" ~"