Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-03-16
CHAPTER XIV
A Lost Son.

| Time passed. The population OF
Forlorn River grew apace Bedding,
| who had once been the head Of the
community, found himself a person Of
little consequence. Even had he de-
sired It be would not have had any
voice in the selection Of postmaster,
sheriff, and a few other officials. The
| Chases divided their labors between
Forlorn River and their Mexican gold
mine, which had been restored to
them. The desert trips between these
two places were taken In automobiles.
| A months time made the motor cars
almost as familiar a sight in Forlorn
River as they had been in Casita be-
fore the revolution.
Belongs wrath at the usurping
Chases increased SIS he slowly realized
his powerlessness to cope with such
men. They were promoters, men OF
big interests and wide influence in
the Southwest. The mere they did for
Forlorn River the less reason there
seemed to be for his own grievance.
He had TO admit that 1t was personal;
that he and Gale and the rangers
would never have been able to develop
the resources Of the valley as these
men were doing 1t.
April arrived with no news of the
rangers. From Casita came vague re-
ports Of raiders In the Sonoyta coun-
try-reports impossible to verify until
his Mexican rangers returned When
these men rode In, one of them, Con-
gales. an intelligent and reliable half
breed, said he had met prospectors at
the oasis. They had Just come In on
the Canine del Diablo, reported ter
rible trip of heat and drought, and
not trace Of the Yaqurs party.
THAT settles It," declared Bedding.
"Yaqui never went to Sonoyta- He's
circled round to the DEVILS road, and
the rangers. Mercedes, Thorne, the
horses-they-Tm afraid they have
been lost In the desert It's an old
story on Canine del Diablo."
He had to tell Nell that, and It was
an ordeal which left him weak.
Mrs. Bedding listened to him, and
was silent for a long time while she |
held the stricken Nell to her breast. |
Then she opposed his convictions with !
that quiet strength so characteristic |
of her arguments.
But mother, they're gone seven |
weeks. Seven weeks, At the most / |
gave them six weeks. Seven weeks In
the desertl''
How do the Yaquis liver she asked.
Bedding could not reply to that, but
hope revived in him. He had faith
In his wife. though he could not In
the least understand what he mag
lned was something mystic in her.
years ago when I was searching
for my father I learned many things
about this country" said Mrs. Beld-
ng. "You can never tell how long q
nan may live In the desert. The
iercest. most terrible and inaccessible
places often have their hidden oasis.
IN his later years my father became |
! prospectcr. That was strange 70 |
ne. for he never cared for gold or
money. ! learned that he was often
zone IN the desert FOR weeks. once for
months. Then the time came when
le never came back That Was years
,sfore reached the southwest border
md heard OF him. Even then dld
lot Tor long give up hope OF HIS com,
~ back. know n0V-somefhing
ellis me-indeed, Il seems bis splF.f
ellis me~hs Was lost Rut ! don't
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