t inclination to smile at each other's poetry. After
duly joining in the chorus of "Glory, Hallelujah!" Lombard endeavored to
cheer his companion by words adapted to the inspiriting air of "Rally
Round the Flag, Boys," This was followed by a series of popular airs,
with solos, duets and choruses.

But this sort of thing could not go on for ever. Lombard was becoming
exhausted in voice and legs, and as for Miss Dwyer, he was expecting to
see her drop from moment to moment. Indeed, to the air of "'Way Down
upon the S'wanee River" she now began to sing,

"Oh dear! I can't bear up much longer:
I'm tired to death;
My voice's gone all to pie-ee-ee-ces,
My throat is very sore."

They must inevitably give out in a few minutes, and then he--and,
terribly worse, she--would be at the mercy of these bestial savages, and
this seeming farce would turn into most revolting tragedy. With this
sickening conviction coming over him, Lombard cast a despairing look
around the horizon to see if there were no help in their bitter
extremity. Suddenly he burst forth, to the tune of "The Star-Spangled
Banner:"

"Oh, say can you see,
Far away to the east,
A bright star that doth grow
Momentarily brighter?
'Tis the far-flashing headlight
Of a railroad-train:
Ten minutes from now
We shall be safe and sound."

What they did in those ten minutes neither could tell afterward. The
same idea was in both their minds--that unless the attention of the
Indians could be held until the train arrived, its approach would only
precipitate their own fate by impelling the savages to carry out
whatever designs of murder, insult or capture they might have. Under the
influence of the intense excitement of this critical interval it is to
be feared that the performance degenerated from a high-toned concert and
variety show into something very like a Howling-Dervish exhibition. But,
at any rate, it answered its purpose until, after a period that seemed
like a dozen eternities, the West-bound overland express with a
tremendous roar and rattle drew up beside them, in response to the
waving of Miss Dwyer's handkerchief and to Lombard's shouts.

Even had the Indians contemplated hostile intentions--which they were
doubtless in a condition of too great general stupefaction to do--the
alacrity with which the two performers clambered aboard