Got breakfast. Bill and harem did not come to water. Cash done the
regular hike after them. His thumb don't hurt him for hazing donkeys.
Bill and harem come in after Cash left. They must of saw him go. Cash
was out four hours and come in mad. Shot a hidrophobia skunk out by the
creek. Nothing doing. Too hot.
June 21.
The sun would blister a mud turtle so he'd holler. Cash put in most of
day holding a parasol over his garden patch. Burros did not miss their
daily drink. Night brings mosquitoes with their wings singed but their
stingers O.K. They must hole up daytimes or they would fry.
June 22.
Thought I know what heat was. I never did before. Cash took a bath. It
was his first. Burros did not come to water. Cash and I tried to sleep
on kitchen roof but the darned mosquitoes fed up on us and then played
heavenly choir all night.
June 25.
Cash got back from Bend. Thumb is better and he can have this job any
time now. He hustled up a widow that made a couple of mosquito bags to
go over our heads. No shape (bags, not widow) but help keep flies and
mosquitoes from chewing on us all day and all night. Training for hades.
I can stand the heat as well as the old boy with the pitch-fork. Ain't
got used to brimstone yet, but I'd trade mosquitoes for sulphur smoke
and give some boot. Worried about Cash. He took a bath today again,
using water I had packed for mine. Heat must be getting him.
June 26.
Cash opened up thumb again, trying to brain Pete with rock. Pete got
halfway into kitchen and eat biggest part of a pie I made. Cash threw
jagged rock, hit Pete in side of jaw. Cut big gash. Swelled now like
a punkin. Cash and I tangled over same. I'm going to quit. I have had
enough of this darn country. Creek's drying up, and mosquitoes have
found way to crawl under bags. Cash wants me to stay till we find good
claim, but Cash can go to thunder.
Then Cash's record goes on:
June 27.
Bud very sick & out of head. Think it is heat, which is terrible.
Talked all night about burros, gasoline, & camphor balls which he seemed
wanting to buy in gunny sack. No sleep for either. Burros came in for
water about daylight. Picketed Monte & Pete as may need doctor if Bud
grows worse. Thumb nearly well.
June 27. Bud same, slept most of day. Gave liver pills & made gruel of
cornmeal, best could do with present stores. Burros came at about 3 but
could not drink owing to bees around water hold. Monte got stung and
kicked over water cans & buckets I had salted for burros. Burros put for
hills again. No way of driving off bees.
June 28.
Burros came & drank in night. Cooler breeze, Bud some better & slept.
Sway has badly swollen neck. May be rattler bite or perhaps bee. Bud
wanted cigarettes but smoked last the day before he took sick. Gave him
more liver pills & sponge off with water every hour. Best can do under
circumstances. Have not prospected account Bud's sickness.
June 29.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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