The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1915-04-24

ture from which, evaporating, kept the
contents cold as spring water. They
watered the horses scantily. They
watched by turns and started out at
dawn. 1t was ten miles to the nearest
water pool, where the water bags were
to be refilled
81 believe we've missed the pool"
said James, toward noon. All around
them was the shimmering desert, de-
void now even of thorn scrub. The
horses painted from the heat. James
gave them the last OF the water.
Wen strike another water hole
before dark" he said to his compan'
ion.
But they did not strike the water
hole, and by sunset the horses were
unable to proceed farther. James
was down, and Vanderhuizens stood
trembling, and evidently on its last
legs.
I'VE had better press on afoot, "
said James. 81 know there is a water
hole at the foot of the mountains"
And he pointed to where the blue out
lines of distant range rose against
the cloudless sky.
He removed his saddle bags and
slung them across his shoulders, and
the two men proceeded YEARLY. James
Jagged behind Vanderhuizen, who, tor
tured by thirst, walked like man in
a nightmare. On they went, hour aft
er hour, till suddenly the big Dutch
man went down.
You'd best leave me; I'm done for, "
he murmured.
James set down his saddle bags,
opened them, and pulled out bottle
of water. He held it in the air. Van
derhuizen leaped to his feet, to find
himself looking down the muzzle of a
revolver.
Hand over the bag" said James,
briefly.
You scoundrel!" shouted Wander,
huizen, through his swollen lips.
This bottle for your half" James
pursued. "And-I know where to find
the water hole"
Vanderhuizen glared at him; then,
with gesture of despair, he took the
precious bag from his breast and tossed
it to the other. For a man will give
all that he has to save his life
Next moment Vanderhuizen had
knocked the head off the bottle and
was gulping down the life-giving
fluid. James watched him sardonic.
ally.
you will find the water hole half a
mile distant, at the foot of that eleva-
tion," he said, indicating a hummock
in the sand. And he watched Wander.
huizen stagger away.
He went back to the horses and
knocking the heads off the other bot
ties, poured the contents down their
threats. The animals, revived, stag
gered to their feet. His own horse
was done for, but Vanderhuizen's
seemed capable of carrying him to his
another water hole along
the wagon route across the desert
which he knew like book.
He clasped the diamonds to his
breast as he rode, and chuckled. The
scheme had been an excellent one ant
had worked out better than he coult
have expected. He had heard in Kim
berley. by the merest chance, thai
Vanderhuizen intended to go dowr
country. He himself had never dared
to purchase diamonds from the ma
tives, but he knew Vanderhuizen's
reputation as a successful and daring
thief, and it had occurred to him that
there was splendid opportunity OF
compelling the man to share his plum
der with him.
The advent upon the scene of In
spector Thompson had been a little
disconcerting; but the same chance
which had told him of Vanderhuizen's
4 maneuver had given him information
that the police were on the mans
trail. He had then telegraphed to
Kliptontein for the two horses-and
everything had gone like clockwork
1t was no wonder that he chuckled
Looking back he could see the horse
still lying upon the sand, and Wander
huizen, tiny figure under the moon
marching painfully back. His own
plans could not fail him He would
strike the water hole, refresh himself
and his steed, and then proceed in a
leisurely manner toward the wagon
path.
At last he reached the place. He
shackled his horse to torn tree and
climbed the ascent toward the hollow
crater in which lay the pond. But when
he reached the summit he found him
self staring down into dry mud hole.
The water had dried up under the
influence of the hot sun and an unus-
ually long dry season.
For a few minutes he could not be-
lieve his eyes, Then he lost his self
control. He would have to go back to
Vanderhuizen. And his bottles were
empty He was parched with thirst,
and his animal was incapable of pro-
ceeding farther.
For hours he raved beside the water