Turning all the realm to darkness,
And the world was left alone.
As the shades of gloom were spreading,
By strange flashing threads of light
He beheld in dim-drawn outline,
On the background of the night,
Phantom horse and girlish rider,
Speeding on in reckless race,
Till she turned directly toward him
And he saw her fearless face!

[Illustration: "Faithful Simon, weak and starving,
Groaned and fell beneath his pack...."]


22

With the journey's slow progression
Slipped away the summer days,
Merging with the sleepy beauty
Of the lazy autumn haze;
And the frosts and drought combining
Waged relentless battle there,
Withering up the scanty ranges,
Leaving all the country bare.
When he entered Colorado,
Following still the barren plain
Where for months the mocking heavens
Never spared a drop of rain,
Faithful Simon, weak and starving,