Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1913-10-02

y Geronimo trouble, ana lIdCS'
with his troop, dismounted, ana
after soul and body wearying march OH the
trail OF the willy Apache found himself IN the
heart of one of the drearest, most Godforsakeh
mountain countries in the whole range OF Ine
southern country. -,
The troop was exhausted and practically WIN
out water the men having not drop 10 orlhh
save what was IN their canteens Ihey mao CUT
loose from q river in the early morning, expect
ing TO find another when the day was done, pul
not as much as a rivulet had they round lneie
was no coffee that night and there WASH I a Hsh'
heart in the whole OUTFIT.
Tracy was unhappy. 1t wasn't wholly MS SUI
fering condition and that of his men whlch
weighed upon him Just before leaving the
Arizona post he had received news that nls
younger brother, John, had been committed 10
states prison in a far northeastern state Inc,
officer had seen his home only once since ms sfau-
uation. He had stayed away purposely' his
brother had been trusted bank employee. Then
came suspicion, then conviction and sentence
John Tracy protested his innocence OF the crime
charged against him and his family, knowing the
lad believed in him, but the circumstanual evil
dence was overwhelming, and in spite OF the ef-
forts of the aged father who spent his time and
mis- money in the boys defense he went 10
prison.
Before the troop had left Fort Banks with Its
nose TO the redhot trail of Geronimo there mad
iCined as an enlisted man Swapping young Of
ficer who said that he from St Louis. His
name was Barlow, and he was assigned TO the
troop of which Tracy the junior officer, and
he went with it on its chase across the border
after the Apache chieftan.
Barlow on every occasion possible attached
himself to Tracy's person Whenever there was
a scouting party detached from the main BODY
and put under the second Heutenants command
Barlow asked that he might be assigned TO IL 10
share in the scouting duty He was reserved
fellow and apparently of superior education
Jokes for him. he was
grave and taciturn. Tracy had noticed the evil
dent attachment of the man to him, and as he
was q capable soldier and willing to dare ana
10 co anything he glad to have him part
of his outfit when on detached ana dangerous
service.
On the morning following the night that the
troop was practically without water and in
country devoid Of all green things save The Tor
bidding cactus the troop commander told Tracy
that he had better make short reconnaissance
feel out the country for the enemy and, above ALL
try to locate water. To attempt march under
that hot Mexican sun with the men, and with any
idea OF effective service, was fooihardy.
Tracy told his captain that he would take but
one man with him; that they would strike south
west where it was thought better prospect of
water lay and that they would return as soon as
find was made He selected Barlow for his
companion and the two struck out through the
black sun-seared country.
They went on for three hours. Not drop OF
tongues were blistered, They drank sparingly OF
the water in their canteens, pressed on for an
other hour and then knew that they must return.
Back they started They followed their onward
trail as well they could, but at times it was
lost and then ciTcling necessary to take 1t
up again At noon they lost 1t and could not
find 1t again. There great Jagged rock ris.
ing TO the westward which neither recognized.
Lieutenant, said Barlow, we're going wrong.
We never came this way. The doesn't bear
H., 40 rio holt
that we are going almost directly at right angles
to the camp"
They circled again and again but no trace of
the trail. Then the conclusion forced itself on
Tracy that they lost. They wandered on
until the sun went down beyond the black rocks.
Then they each drank sparingly of the precious
contents Of the canteens, and lay down on the
gray desert to sleep
The sun came up like red-hot round shot
Tracy and Barlow ate the last of their single
ration and took swallow of water apiece.
Then on they went again Twenty-four hours
passed. The sun came up once more, and with
It's coming they staggered forward The can
teens were empty They looked for the cactus
whose leaf yields juice that helps fight off the
demon Of thirst They could not find It, The
only vegetation were occasional clumps OF stunt
ed prickly pear cactus, the juice of whose leaves
nccentuates thirst.
Another twenty-four hours. The cheered
each other on like the soldiers they were. Tracy
began TO feel the coming OF delirlum On Tor
dfaught Of water! He looked at Barlow. The
mans eyes burning, but they had a cour.
nge In them and something else In their depths
which Tracy before had seen there. On
and on AND on They could go no further Sud.
denly BARLOW turned TO Tracy and said in a voice
that was ohoked from the cuching OF thrsts
hand at his throat Lieutenant | was afraid
that we might be tempeted TO drink this long
ago, SO ! saved II for the last extremity. Lieu.
tenant have one good drink of water apiece
left In my canteen"