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 his made

the blood stream the more profusely, and I suffered dreadfully from thirst.

I sat down at length on a log by the side of a thicket of chaparral to decide, if possible, what course to pursue, and was still tying up my wound and trying to stop the blood, with a pistol lying at my side, when I saw two men approaching on horse back.

My first impulse was to dash into the brush; but then I resolved to fight if must be, and run no farther. I took my pistol in my hand, cocked it, laid it across my lap, and sat still.

The men were strangers. They held up their hands in sign of friendship ; but I was excited, weak, alone, almost helpless, and hence suspicious.

" Don t be afraid, little one," one of them called out; u we are friends, and only want to assist you."

I still said nothing, held my pistol ready, and did not move.

They talked together a moment, then one of them dismounted and came toward me, holding his pistol by the muzzle in his left hand.

u Here, take this pistol," were his first words, and he reached it out and sat down by my side. u You see we don t know much about you; you may be good or you may be bad, but we don t like to see too many on one, and we are come to help you get away."

These men proved to be miners ; prominent, peace ful, and influent