Alkali Dust

motionless, my head bared; and again the oppressive silence. The darkness seemed to creep upon me--to close about me in suffocating folds. I clinched my fists and strode rapidly forward--one, two, three steps. Again I listened; not a movement was heard. I was alone on the plain; alone in the great world--the last being to go before my Maker, to shrink, cowering--

"Hullo, stranger! Any tobacco? I guess I'm hurt. Unhorsed this morning; the mare handed me one before she left. Been crawling all day for shade. Strike a match, will you? God, but it's a night!"

Strange; but without a cringe, I stopped and turned. The rapid beating of my heart slumped to normal, and I put forth a careful foot in the direction of the voice. It fell short. I advanced the other; there was a constrained groan.

"Careful, friend--my hip. Oh, it's all right! Why in blazes don't you strike that match? Got any?"

I struck a light. Poor fellow! His hip undoubtedly was broken. It lay stretched away