The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-11-16

That's Good"
terized the manner of both. But Cam.
eron's companion, when he had packed
his burro and was ready to start, faced
about and said: I'VE might stay to-
gether, if It's all right with YOU"
II never take a partner" replied
Cameron.
you're alone; I'm alone" said the
other mildly. ITS big place. If we
find gold therell be enough f10r' two.
Il don't go down into the desert
for gold alone" "rejoined Cameron.
His companions deep-set, luminous
eyes emitted a singular flash. 1t
moved Cameron to say that in the
years of his wandering he had met
no man who could endure equally with
him the blasting heat, the binding
dust storms, the wilderness of sand
and rock and lava and cactus, the ter.
rible silence and desolatlOn Of the
desert. 81 may strike through the
Sonora desert. | may head for Pima
cate or north for the Colorado basin.
You are an old man."
Il don't know the country, but to
me one place is the same as another"
replied his companion. Then with
gentle slaps he drove his burro In be-
hind Cameron. "Yes, I'm DID, I'm
lonely, too. It's come to me just
lately. But, friend, l can still travel,
and for few days my company won't
hurt YOU"
p Have it your way" said Cameron
They began a slow march down
into the desert. At sunset they camped
under the lee of low mesa. Cam
eron was glad his cOmrade had the
Indian habit of silence. Another days
travel found the proSpectors deep In
the wilderness. Then there came Q
breaking of reserve, noticeable In tht
elder man, almost imperceptibly grad
ual in Cameron. And so, as Cameron
began to respond to the influence o.
desert less lonely than habitual; HI
began to take keener note Of his com
rade, and found him different from
any other ne had ever encountered II
the wilderness. This man neye
grumbIed at the heat. the glare, tn
driving sand, the sour water, tn
scant fare. He was tireless, patient
brOOding.
Cameron's awakened interest brough
home to him the realization that TO
years he had Stunned compan:onshiT
In those years only three men ha
wandered into the desert with hin
and these had left their bones t
| bleach In the shifting sands. Camera
had not cared to know their secret
But the more he studied this lates
cOmrade the more he began to suspet
that he might have missed sOmethin
in the others. In his own driving pa
sion to take his secret into the llml
less abode Of silence and desolatiol
where Ire could be alone with it, /
had forgotten that life dealt shocks
other men. Somehow this silent cor
rade reminded him.
| One afternoon late, after they ma
toiled up a white. winding wash
sand and gravel, they came upon
dry waterhOle. Cameron dug de
into the sand, but without avail. 1
was turning to retrace weary STE
back to the last water when his col
rade asked him to walt. Camer'
watched him search in his pack al
bring forth what appeared to be
small, forked branch Of a peach TIT
He grasped the prongs OF the 10
and held them before him with t
end standing straight ont, and tn
he began to walk along the stres
bed. Cameron, at first amused IN
amazed, then plying, and at last
rious, kept pace with the prospect
He saw a strong tension Of his co
rade's wrists, as If he was hoidl
, hard against a considerable force. I
end Of the peach branch began
ouiyer and turn, kept turning, and
length pointed to the ground.
"Dig here" said the prospector.
"Whatl" calculated Cameron. h
the man lost his mind3
Then Cameron stood by while
; comrade dug in the sand. Three Il
he dug-four-Ave, and the ga
crew dark, then moist. At SIX Z
,, water began to seep through.
"cot the little basket In my pac
, he said.