The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-12-23

Beyonu. there were no more RUM
above the surface. The sky belonged
TO another world. These plains and
ridges of red sand were the husks OF
the planet. Bevlngton's eyes ached
with the distances In the glare of day
sun. Two of the camels were killed
to provide sustenance for the others,
and the two men shared with tho
| beasts.
Now the high winds came In a bruis-
| ing torrent. as II the elements had
turned enemy. and this was their
threat. The beasts gave up. and were
| driven into n roaring gully wherr the
blast was broken somewhat. II whined
and rushed overhead, and began to
bury them with sand.
| In this choking confusion the cap
ture came qulckly-a brief AFFAIR In
| which the white men were too late
with their guns. Riders were down
upon them, an avalanche OF ferocity.
The storm had obscured their coming.
On horses demoniac and primal they
had sped down through the sandstorm
as II II were an April rain. These
were monster men with silvery eyes.
Their boards were hanging mats Of
sand. their mouths caked with dust.
Close.ftting leather helmets enlarged
their heads.
Leather thongs whipped out and
circled Cons arms, and he was help
less. In moment strong hands were
undressing the white men. The
frightened cameIs were being driven
away. The strangers worked In a
) nervous heat. chanting song or prayer,
their voices mlngling with the savage
wind. Everything was taken from the
prisoners, and dagger points were sent
ripping through their garments.
March was shouting, pleading with
rich offers, but he received no reply
only his ruined clothing. Then the re-
mainder of the party leaped and spur
red their hairy beasts up the slope.
The slcwering sand hid them again.
Levlngton's face and shoulders were
numb with the pelting of little stones.
1t was all finished In a moment.
"Are you all rightly" asked Marsh.
"Yes. They didn't leave anything"
With extreme difficulty the two
travellers stepped into and adjusted
their rags The map was gone. along
with guns, gold. camels, provisions
water, and all sense of direction
Their eyes were red with pain. The
wind clustered In dry fury, as II the
riders might materiali.e out of 1t q
second time.
"They must have had us In view al
day, perhaps yesterday, or they could
not have found us In this weather,
said March, hitching the remains OF
his trousers to a bit of shirt.
"Those horses weren't real" sait
Con. "And how did they get me al
tied up with leather before l coult
draw"
They spoke with levlty that was no
felt each hoping by his ca amness I,
= cheer the other. The actual situation
was too plain. Lexington added:
"At least we seem to be In the righ
neighborhood."
"We can wait here until we ge
!, straight by the stars" said March.
maintain that we did fairly well, I,
have come this far before they foun'
u.s."
!, "Yes."
March pretended not to notice tn
trembling of his voice. Both wer
busy with new ways Of assemblln
II tattered garments. Then Con sa,
,. that his friend was smiling.
Boy" said March, 1--WE may not I'm
IS much to eat or drink, but we are no
y quite done for"
Lexington nodded without compr,
n hending, and his companion added
!. "We are not altogether lost"
n How is that?"
:, For answer, March balanced himsel
e, against Cons shoulder, and lifted u
'r one foot, as II to look at a bruis,
's and busted It carefully. A duplicat
a Of the map was clearly tattooed o
d. the sole of bis right foot.