The Winslow mail., 1924-04-18
by
COPYRIGHT 1y VIC CHAPLAIN

WlntOn struggled INTO SltClng pos
ture. Surely that was Malopo, and
surely it was very near. He saw the
busy market square, and the great
white-capped ox-wagons, drawn by
their spans of long horns, moving
through the dust whirls.
He must reach Malopo. It could
not be many miles away. And the
awful thirst that was consuming him
brought him to his feet and sent him
staggering toward the pictured town.
He stumbled through the dust, his
eyes taking in the scene avidly. He
was searching for the location of the
Continental across the busy square.
All his material aims had dwindled to
q pitcher of cold water and dark
place in which to sleep.
Suddenly he stopped in consterna-
ton. Across the scene he saw train
moving. Puffs of white smoke came
from the engine The train stopped,
the engine, detached, went on alone,
putting into the void, and disappeared.
Then Winton recognized this vision,
1t was not Malopo but Taungs.
And even as he looked it vanished
and the scorched desert lay before
him. And far away, against the hori-
zon. he saw the tiny speck that was
the Hottentot on his horse, riding
away.
Winton looked wildly about him.
Far away were the outlines Of the
hills that sheltered Sheila. A des-
perate longing came over him to re-
turn, seek her, gain her, and dwell
there an outlaw, as SeatOn had done.
He turned
Then far across the sands, there
sprang suddenly into view a lake. set
among green pastures, with trees
about it, and a farmhouse. A cool
breath from the water seemed to reach
him across the desert He began to
staeger toward this new vision, with
his arms outstretched.
Altnvugh his brain told him that
this, too, was mirage, he could not
but follow the lure.
And, believing against belief that
he might actually be nearing it, he
fought his way onward, as If the
desert were a physical enemy to be
overcome, stumbling and falling, and
rising again. His tongue Glove to the
roof of his mouth, and the blood in his
veins seemed to have turned to vitriol.
He was down again and could not
rise. He looked up at the vision on
the horizon and shook his fist furious
ly. He knew that he was beaten, that
death awaited him; but he would die
fighting. Everything that had hap
pened to him since he reached Malopo
seemed like this: illusion, golden
prospects, prospects in love, in busi-
ness, toward which he had groped in
blind trustfulness, while in reality
staggering through an arid desert of
failure.
He sank down, but in his delirium
ne was still running across the sands,
seeking an unattainable haven; then
absolute unconsciousness enveloped
him.
1t seemed centuries later when he
in his own room in the cottage upon
the claim.
He thought he was dreaming; and
when at last he convinced himself Of
the reality of the four walls he inn
aginCd that he had dreamed every
thing, from the assault to Sheila.
Then the honest face of Sam ap-
peared before him, like dusky half
neon; and Winton had never seen
Sam with so much pleasure in his life
before.
Whats happened? he asked.
Its all right-it's all right. Mr..
Garrett" said Sam, putting a cup of
water to his lips. Winton drank
gratefully and too weak to make in
quiries, went to sleep again
Later in the day he awOke, feeling
more like himself. Sam was still at
his bedside, in exactly the same posi-
tion that he had occupied before.
Sam, tell me what's happened"
said WintOn in perplexity did I
dream about the burglary"
mo. indeed. Mr.. Garrett But that's
all over and done with. If you'll go
to sleep, sir"
did I ride out into the desert?"
''Well-yes, Mr.. Garrett. But you're
back home now, and that's all"
"Tell me how 1 got here at once
Sam
We'll, Mr.. Garrett" said Sam re-
uctantly, 4 happened to find you in
gthe desert"
How far out:"
about ten miles, sir. You were
lost and you'd tainted and your head
was cracked omen You wanted to
tight me sir I had quite a little diff
Guilty getting you home sir And YOU
fell off the horse twice. You gave ne
this Mr. Garrett" he continued point
ing to one optic, which Wlnton no
ticed was discolored But that's all
over and"
"N-Len. Sam?"