The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-04-19
CHAPTER |.
The Water.Hole.

fitful breeze played among the |
mesquite bushes. The naked earth,
where 1t showed between the clumps |
OF grass, was baked plaster hard. al |
though the sun was halfway down the |
west, it's glare remained untcmpcred.
ana the tantalizing shade of the sparse
mesquite was more Of trial than n
comfort to the lone woman who rcfus-
ing It's dcccitful invitation, pioddcd
steadily over the waste. Stop, indeed |
she dared not. In spite of her fatigue.
regardless Of the torture from feet md
limbs unused to walking, she must,
aS she constantly assured herself, keep
going until strength fncd. Somewhere
10 the northward, perhaps mile, per-
maps league distant. lay the water
hole.
Desert travel was nothing new to
her; thirst and fatigue were old nc
quaintnnces. She readjusted the strap
OF the empty water bng over her shoul-
der and the loose cartridge belt at her
nip, then set her dusty feet down the
slope. The sun hnd grown rcd and
huge when at last in the hard-baked
earth she discovered fresh footprints.
She followed them gladly, encour-
ngcd when they were joined by
others. low bluff rose on her left,
and along It's crest scattered Spanish
dnggers were rnggedly silhouettcd
against the sky. She tried to run, but
hcr legs were heavy; she stumbled a
great deal, and her breath made
| strange, distressing sounds rs it issued
from her open lips. Rounding the
steep shoulder Of the ridge, she has
tended down dcclyity into Il knot of
! scrub oaks and ebony trees, then halt
ed. staring ahead Of her. Nesting in
shallow. tlinty howl was Il pool OF
wa'er. and on its brink little fire was
burning.
1t was tiny fire. overhung with n
blackened pot; the odor Of grcasewood
ana mesquite smoke was sharp. A
man, rising swiftly to his feet ut the
first sound. was staring at the new
conner; he was rs alert as any wild
thing. But the woman staggered di-
rectly toward the pond. seeing nothing
hfter the first glance except the water.
She would have flung herself full
length upon the edge, but the man
stepped forward and stayed her, then
placed tin cup in her hand. She
mumbled something In answer to his
greeting and the hoarse. ravcnlilse
croak In her voice startled her; then
she drank, with trembling eagerness.
drenching the front Of her dress. The
water was warm, but 1t was clean and
delicious.
Easy now. Take your time" said
the man, as he refllled the cup. ut
won't give out"
She knelt and wet her face and neck.
Felt the strangers hands beneath her
arms. felt herself lifted to more COM
Portable position. Without asking per-
mission. the stranger unlnced first one,
then the other of her dusty boots.
seeming not to notice her weak at
tempt Mt resistance. Once he had
placed her bare feet in the water, she
forgot her resentment in the intense
relief.
The man left her seated in col
lapsed, semicOnscious state, and went
back to his fire. 1t was dark when for
the first time she turned her head to.
ward the camp fire and stared curious
ly mt the figure there. The appetizing
odor Of broiling bacon had drawn her
attention, and as If no move went un-
noticed the man said, without lifting
his eyes:
Supper will be ready directly.
How'd you like your eggs-if we had
any?"
He spoke with an unmstakable Tex
ns drawl; the woman put him down Mt |
once for a cowboy. Well back from
the fire he had arranged seat for her,
using saddle blanket for n cover
ing, and upon this she lowered herself
stiffly.
i suppose you wonder how hap
pen to be here" she said.
Now don't talk til you're rested,
MISS. Ihis coffee Is strong enough to
walk on Its hands, and reckon about
Two cups OF 1t III rastle you into shape"
AS she raised tho tin mug to her l,na