The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1920-05-06

ABOVE the surface. The sky belonged
to another world. These plains and
ridges of red sand were the husks of
the planet. L%evington'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 the
beasts.
Now the high winds came in a bruis-
ing torrent, as If the elements had
turned enemy. and this was their
threat. The beasts gave up, and were
driven into q roaring gully where the
blast was broken somewhat. 1t whined
n rushed overhead, and began to
bury them with sand.
In This choking confusion the cap
ture came quickly-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 sandstone
as If it were an April rain. These
were monster men with silvery eyes.
Their boards were hanging mats of
sand, their mouths caked with dust.
CoSe-fitting leather helmets enlarged
their heads.
Leather thongs whipped out and
circled Cons arms. and he was help
less. In Il mornen strong hands were
undressing the white men. The
frightened camels were being driven
away. The strangers worked in a
nervous heat, chanting a sons or prayer,
their voices mingling 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 showering sand hid them again.
LevingtOn'S face and shoulders were
numb with the pelting of little stones.
1t was all finished in q moment.
Are you all right?" asked Marsh.
"Yes. They didn't leave anything"
With extreme difficulty the W
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 if the
riders might m%aterialize out Of it a
second time.
"They must have had us in view all
day, perhaps yesterday, or they could
not have found is in this weather."
said March, hitching the remains Of
his trousers to a bit of shirt.
Those horses weren't real" said
Con. "And how did they get me all
tied up with leather before l could
| draw"
They spoke@with levity that was not
felt. each hoping by his calmness to
cheer the other. The actual situation
was too plain. Lexington added:
"At least we seem to be in the right
neighborhood."
1--WE can wait here until we get
straight by the stars" said March. II
maintain that We did fairly we'll. to
have come this far before they found
u.s."
Eyes"
March pretended not to notice the
trembling Of his voice. Both were
busy with new ways of assembling
tattered garments. Then Con saw
that his friend was smiling.
"Boy." said March. 1--WE may not find
much to eat or drink, but we are not
quite done for"
|. Lexington nodded without compre-
%hending, and his companion added:
1--WE are not altogether lost"
"How is that?'
For answer, March balanced himself
against Cons shoulder. and lifted up
n foot. as If to look at a bruise,
and busted It carefully. A duplicate
Of the map was clearly tattooed on
the sole of his right foot.