Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1917-04-21
CHAPTER |.
The Water-Hole.

ne Water-HoIe.
A 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 san was halfway down the
west its glare remained untempered
and the tantalizing shade of the sparse
mesquite was more OF a trial than a
comfort to the lone woman who, refus-
ing its deceitful invitation, plodded
steadily over the waste. Stop, indeed,
she dared not. In spite of her fatigue
regardless of the torture from feet and
limbs unused to walking, she must,
as she constantly assured herself, keep
going until strength failed. Somewhere
20 the nOrthward. perhaps a mile, per-
haps league distant, lay the water
hole
Desert travel was nothing new to
her; thirst and fatigue were old ac-
quaintances. She readjusted the strap
of the empty water bag over her Shout
der and the loose cartridge belt at her
hip, then set her dusty feet down the
slope The sun had grown red and
huge when at last in the hard-baked
earth she discovered fresh footprints.
She followed them gladly, encour-
aged when they were Joined by
Others. A low bluff rose on her left,
aud along its crest scattered Spanish
daggers were raggedly silhouetted
against the sky. She tried to run, bur
Oh evAVt hi ID
great DEAL and her breath made
strange, distressing sounds as it issued
from her open lips. Rounding the
steep shoulder of the ridge, she has
tended down declivity into a knot OF
scrub oaks and ebony trees, then halt
ed staring ahead of her. Nesting in
shallow, filnty bowl was a pool of
water, and on it's brink little fire was
burning.
1t was tiny fire, overhung with a
Mackened pot; the odor of greasewood
and mesquite smoke was sharp. A
man. rising swiftly to his feet at the
Arst sound, was staring at the new
conner; he was as alert as any wild
ming. But the woman staggered di-
fectiy toward the pond seeing nothing
after 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 a tin cup In her hand. She
numbled something In answer to his
greeting and the hoarse, ravenlike
croak In her voice startled her; then
she drank, with trembling eagerness,
drenching the front of her dress. Tho
water was warm. but it was clean ana
delicious.
Easy now. Take your time" said
the man, as he reflled the cup. 1T
won't give out"
She knelt and wet her face and neck.
Felt the strangers hands beneath her
arms felt herself lifted to a more com
'ortable position. Without asking per-
mission, the stranger unlaced first one,
then the other of her dusty boots.
seeming not to notice her weak at
tempt OF 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 a col
iapsed, semi conscious state. and went
oack to lis fire. 1t was dark when for
the hrst time she turned her head to-
ward the camp fire and stared curious
" at the figure there. The appetizlng
odor of broiiiug bacon had drawn her
attention, AMI as If no move went IN
noticed the man said, without lifting
his eyes:
Supper viii be ready directly
how'd you Ike your eggs-if we had
anyI"
lie spoke with an unmistakG5ie Tex
sS drawl; the woman put him down at
once for a cowboy. Well back from
ne ire be aa1 arranged a seat for her.
using a sa'.,tie blanket for a cover /
ing. and upon this she lowered herself
suffiy.
suppose you wonder how I-han-
pen to be here" she said.
Now don't talk til you're rested
MISS This coffee is strong enough to
walk on its hands. and reckon about
Two cups Of ii II raseos you into shape"
As she raised the tin mug to her lips
pc waved hand and smiled. Drink