Death Valley Days 38-06-17 (398) The Burro Who Had No Name

Summary

Podcast Summary: Death Valley Days 38-06-17 (398) – "The Burro Who Had No Name"

Release Date: March 19, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Death Valley Days 38-06-17 (398): The Burro Who Had No Name", listeners are transported back to the rugged terrains of early 20th-century Nevada. Hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, the show delves into the adventures and challenges faced by prospectors in the mining town of Rhyolite. This particular episode weaves a tale of camaraderie, superstition, and survival, centered around two main characters, Smitty and Olie, and their mysterious white burro.

Main Plot Overview

Setting the Scene ([02:45] – [05:30])

The story unfolds in Rhyolite, Nevada, in the year 1905. Smitty and his partner, Olie Martin, are prospectors negotiating for burros to aid their expedition into the hills. Their interaction with the local seller sets the stage for the challenges they will face:

• Smitty: Attempts to negotiate the price of burros, highlighting his experience and skepticism towards superstitions.

  "[05:50] Smitty: It's highway robbery. Try and buy them somewhere else then." ([05:50])

• Olie: More open to unconventional deals, showing his willingness to take risks.

  "[05:34] Smitty: If you can just fix us up with a couple of good riding burras..." ([05:34])

The Mysterious White Burro ([07:43] – [17:16])

After acquiring four burros, an unexpected event occurs:

• Discovery of an Extra Burro: One night, Olie notices an extra burro, a white one, which they did not purchase. Smitty's superstitious nature comes into play as he believes the white burro brings bad luck.

  "[08:19] Smitty: It was the white burra... He's a grinning at us, gloating over us." ([08:19])

• Encounter with the White Burro: The burro begins to exhibit strange behavior, leading to tensions between Smitty and Olie. Smitty wants to rid themselves of the burro, believing it to be a jinx, while Olie takes a compassionate approach, attempting to save the animal from a rattlesnake bite.

  "[16:12] Olie: He can’t. His teeth is clenched." ([16:12])

  "[16:28] Olie: Rattlesnake bite? Look here on the nose. You can see where the fangs went in." ([16:28])

• Rising Conflict: The disagreement over the white burro escalates, culminating in Smitty's decision to abandon the partnership and return to Rhyolite alone.

  "[18:11] Smitty: No, I’m going back to Rhyolite." ([18:11])

Resolution and Redemption ([21:24] – [24:00])

Ten days later, circumstances force Smitty to reconcile with Olie:

• Rescue Mission: Smitty discovers Olie unconscious in a canyon, suffering from a broken leg, thanks to the white burro's tracking.

  "[21:43] Olie: Good boy." ([21:43])

  "[22:01] Olie: I run across something mighty good, Smitty. Here. Here's one of them." ([22:01])

• Reconciliation: Realizing the value of their partnership and the true nature of the white burro, Smitty and Olie decide to name the burro, solidifying their bond with the animal.

  "[23:44] Smitty: Then let's give him a name now, Smitty. After all, he's earned it." ([23:44])

Key Characters

• Smitty: A seasoned prospector with a pragmatic and sometimes superstitious outlook. His initial distrust of the white burro drives much of the conflict.

  "[05:50] Smitty: It's highway robbery. Try and buy them somewhere else then." ([05:50])

• Olie Martin: Smitty's loyal and compassionate partner. Unlike Smitty, Olie is more open-hearted, especially towards the mysterious burro.

  "[16:41] Olie: We'll do our best, anyhow." ([16:41])

• The White Burro: An enigmatic presence that serves as both a catalyst for conflict and a symbol of unforeseen challenges in the desert.

Notable Quotes

1. Smitty on Superstition:

   "[06:34] Smitty: You think I'd be fooled enough to go prospecting with a white bur? Hey, what's the matter with a white bur? Well, they're unlucky, that's what." ([06:34])

2. Olie on Compassion:

   "[17:00] Olie: We can't just stand by and watch him die." ([17:00])

3. Smitty's Realization:

   "[23:26] Smitty: Oly, I don't deserve it after the way I treated you." ([23:26])

4. Final Decision:

   "[23:44] Smitty: Then let's give him a name now, Smitty. After all, he's earned it." ([23:44])

Conclusions and Themes

"The Burro Who Had No Name" is a poignant narrative that explores themes of superstition versus compassion, the strength of partnership, and redemption. Smitty's journey from skepticism to acceptance mirrors the universal struggle between fear of the unknown and the innate human (or, in this case, prospector) capacity for empathy and forgiveness. The white burro serves as a metaphor for unexpected challenges that test the bonds between individuals, ultimately strengthening them through shared adversity.

Listeners are left reflecting on the importance of embracing the unfamiliar and the value of unwavering support in the face of hardship. The episode masterfully blends dramatic tension with heartfelt moments, encapsulating the essence of the Golden Age of Radio storytelling.

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This summary is crafted to provide an in-depth overview of the episode's content, ensuring that both longtime fans and new listeners can appreciate the rich narrative and its underlying messages.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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[George]

As the old morning bugle call of the covered wagon trains dies away among the echoes, another true story of Death Valley Days is brought to you by the Pacific Coast Borax Company, who give you the miracle of Borax in three convenient forms. 20 Mule Team Borax for household use. 20 Mule Team Borax Soap chips for washing clothes and dishes. And the new Boraxo for toilet use. Before you become absorbed in the O'Ranger story for tonight, we would like to take just a moment of your time to tell you something about Boraxo. Boraxo was created in response to the insistent demands from women for a product that would cleanse the skin as safely as 20 mule team Borax cleanses painted woodwork or bathroom porcelain or your fine china and glassware. Well, the letters we receive every day praising Boraxo tell us that we have succeeded in meeting this demand for, say, our new customers who have discovered Barack. So your Baraxo does just what we wanted. It cleanses dirty hands and the children's knees and elbows like magic. It works so fast that the children no longer have any excuse to be late for meals. They can wash up in a jiffy with Barraxo. And best of all, I know that they will come to the table not only really clean, but with smooth, soft spots. Your Boraxo cleanses the skin as quickly as your 20 mule team Borax cleans our houses. And that is saying something. And like 20 Mule Team Borax, it cleanses without doing any damage. Thank you for your wonderful new product, Boraxo. And thank you, too, for Death Valley Days, which all of us love. And now, here's the old Ranger.

[Smitty]

Good evening, folks.

[Old Ranger]

Good evening and a hearty welcome to all.

[George]

And now, Ranger, what's the story for tonight?

[Old Ranger]

Well, it's a story I hardly expect you to believe. But it's the absolute truth.

[George]

J why, old Ranger, you know I believe every word you utter on the air.

[Old Ranger]

Say, George, you don't like the way you say on the air. However, I let it Pass this time. And now you just pin back your ears and part to the story of the burrow that had no name.

[George]

Wouldn't it be a good idea, before you start, O'Ranger, to explain exactly what a burrow is? There may be some of our listeners who don't know.

[Old Ranger]

Don't know what a burrow is?

[George]

Well, not by that name, anyway.

[Old Ranger]

Sure they do. Why, the word burrow is as common as horse.

[George]

About where you come from, Maybe everywhere. It's not in the encyclopedia.

[Old Ranger]

How do you know?

[George]

Because I looked. When you told us last week about this burrow story, I thought I'd, well, study up a bit on Burroughs.

[Old Ranger]

Oh, steal a march on the audience, eh? So you went to the encyclopedia?

[George]

Yes, and I took down the volume labeled Bray B, R, A, I to cast Bray.

[Old Ranger]

Well, that was a good thing to look under.

[George]

Just the same, the word burrow was nowhere to be found.

[Old Ranger]

Maybe you don't know how to spell it.

[George]

V, U, R, R, O.

[Old Ranger]

That's right. You're sure it wasn't there?

[George]

Absolutely. From Elihu Burke, they jumped right to John Burroughs. Well, so then I turned to donkey, and all it said there was C Ass.

[Old Ranger]

And all it said there, I suppose, was C Balaam. Well, since you couldn't find the word burrow in your dictionary, George, I'll enlighten you. A bird is the same as a donkey or a jackass. In the desert, we generally call them jacks for short. They stand about 4 foot high. Their coats is furry. Their ears is long. Their tails is sort of like a piece of rope frayed at the end. Their hoofs is small and sharp, but their teeth is big and sharp. And their voices is something fake. Fearful. There you are. And now, since you got a mental picture of the animal, well, let's get going on the yarn. The scene opens in the mining camp of Rhyolite. It's the year 1905. Walter Scott Smith noticed Smitty and his partner, Oie Martin, are negotiating with a feller in Rhyolite for a string of burrs with which to start out into the hills.

[Smitty]

Two for packs and one for water.

[Olie]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Now, if you can just fix us up with a couple of good riding burras, I can give you two of the finest riding burrs in Nevada. Blackjack here and Samson.

[Olie]

How much? 50 apiece. 50?

[Smitty]

We'll give you 30. Ah, you go to blazes. Why, them pack animals bring 35.

[Olie]

Holy smokes.

[Smitty]

Well, that's highway robbery. Try and buy them somewhere else then. $35 for a pack burrow. $10.50 for saddlebarrow.

[Old Ranger]

These two critters is worth it, too.

[Smitty]

I've rode them both myself. And I know my blackjack brung me once all the way from Gold Circle to battle mountain. A 60 mile trip in 10 hours. And Sam said, we'll give you 40 a piece for 50 or nothing. I never paid as much as $50 for a burrow in my life. I'll tell you what I can do. I can give you a cheaper pack burrow in place of one of them you picked out. Yeah? Which one? That one over yonder, sniffing at the pile of tin cans. Now, I could give you a white burr. Yeah, I'll let you have him for $20. I wouldn't take him as a gift.

[Olie]

15.

[Smitty]

You think I'd be fool enough to go prospecting with a white bur? Hey, what's the matter with a white bur? Well, they're unlucky, that's what. Unluckiest thing there is. Say, you don't really believe that, do you?

[Olie]

We could swing $15.

[Smitty]

You ain't suggesting that we buy that white Jack? Well, pay $15 for a Jonah, a jinx, a hoodoo only. You're crazy. You must have been out walking in the sun without your hat on.

[Olie]

He ain't really white, Smitty. He's kind of gray.

[Smitty]

He's as white as you or me.

[Olie]

Well, we ain't exactly lilies.

[Smitty]

I'll make you a price of $12 for him. How's that? You should have. I'm talking to your partner. If he buys that white bur off of you, he's no longer my partner.

[Olie]

Oh, Smitty.

[Smitty]

I mean it, Ole. You and me's been prospecting together since panamid days. We've slept under the same blanket, drunk out of the same canteen, gone 50. 50 on every strike we've made. I think a heap of you. But if you pay as much as two bits for that, that ill wind yonder our trails is going to part, so help me.

[Olie]

I guess we'll just take four burrows, mister.

[Old Ranger]

It was on the second night out. Olie and Smitty were finished with their supper and Olie went over to feed the leavings to the burros.

[Olie]

All right, I'm coming. One at a time now. What? Why, hello.

[Smitty]

What's the matter?

[Olie]

Am I counting noses? Right. One, two, three.

[Smitty]

One of our jacks missing?

[Olie]

No, we. Seems we've acquired an extra one.

[Smitty]

Got five now, huh?

[Olie]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Well, if those fool greenhorns don't know Enough to tie their critters up. They deserve to lose them. Let me have a look.

[Olie]

So. Huh?

[Smitty]

It's the white burra.

[Olie]

Well, it's a white burra.

[Smitty]

It's the same white burr that that sharper in Rhyolite tried to palm off on us.

[Olie]

Oh, now, that ain't likely, Smitty.

[Smitty]

I recognize him in the dark. What's this? Or he recognizes us. Look at that glint in his eye.

[Olie]

I don't see no glint.

[Smitty]

He's a grinning at us, gloating over us. The blasted little devil. You're to blame for this, Olie. It's all your fault.

[Olie]

My fault?

[Smitty]

It's on account of you he's followed us here, and it's up to you now to get rid of him. Wow. How? You ask me how? Well, we'll fire rocks at him, cuss him, kick him off.

[Olie]

I wouldn't want to do that.

[Smitty]

All right, then, I will.

[Olie]

No, you leave him to me. I'll make it plain to him that he ain't welcome around here.

[Smitty]

We'll see that you do, pronto. I'll be washing up the supper thing.

[Olie]

All right. I'll hear you critters. Here's your grub. How don't you be so greedy, Samson. Don't you know there's others to share.

[Smitty]

With you through with that tail yet, Ole?

[Olie]

Yep.

[Smitty]

Then I'll take it and wash it along with a frying pan and.

[Olie]

Holy Martin. What's the matter?

[Smitty]

You fed that burr?

[Olie]

Which burrow?

[Smitty]

A white burrow.

[Olie]

Ah, now, Smitty, you needn't deny it.

[Smitty]

Look at him licking his lips.

[Olie]

Well, that's just.

[Smitty]

Just some bacon grease he's trying to get off his whiskers.

[Olie]

You are imagining things, Smitty.

[Smitty]

Is that piece of flapjack sticking to his nose my imagination?

[Olie]

Oh, well, you fed that burra and.

[Smitty]

You just promised me you'd get rid of him.

[Olie]

I will, Smithy.

[Smitty]

Honestly. Honest.

[Olie]

Right away.

[Smitty]

It's too late. We'll never be rid of him now. That evil little blighter will trail us wherever we go, bringing us nothing but bad luck.

[Olie]

Look, he's leaving. Now. What did I tell you? Yeah, he's walking right off into the desert. You see, he savvies.

[Smitty]

He savvies that supper is over. But he'll be back. You just wait and see.

[Old Ranger]

The next morning when Ole opened his eyes, he. He looked around fearfully. Then he breathed a sigh of relief. The white burrow was nowheres in sight. Well, breakfast over. The partners packed up their outfit and moved down Farther into the hills. That evening they made a dry camping while Smitty unpacked and prepared supper. Ole went off with one of the pack burrows to rustle a supply of firewood. It was almost dark when he returned.

[Smitty]

I begun to think you was lost or had struck gold maybe.

[Olie]

No, just that wood was scarce. This critter wanted to lay down all the time. Hey, what smells so good?

[Smitty]

I got a treat for us tonight.

[Olie]

What is it?

[Smitty]

Fresh bread.

[Old Ranger]

No.

[Smitty]

Uh huh.

[Olie]

Why you old son of a gun.

[Smitty]

Too low.

[Olie]

Where are they?

[Smitty]

In the Dutch oven, keeping warm.

[Olie]

Fresh bread?

[Smitty]

Yes sir. Hey, when it's my turn to do the cooking, I produce real grub.

[Olie]

Well, if you're casting aspersions on my meals. Hey, what else we gonna have?

[Smitty]

Mulligan coffee, Dawson Plum with a loaf.

[Olie]

Of bread a piece. Why, that ought to do it.

[Smitty]

Hey, we're saving one of them loaves for tomorrow.

[Olie]

Ah, don't be stingy.

[Smitty]

You call a. A half a loaf of bread stingy? Say, them big loads.

[Olie]

Well, I could eat a whole batch without any help. I'm hungry as a wolf.

[Smitty]

Well, everything's ready as soon as you are.

[Olie]

Well then, let's eat.

[Smitty]

All right. I'll be decing up the Mulligan and.

[Olie]

I'll get the bread out of the oven.

[Smitty]

That oven was a good buy. Oh, yo. See the crust of that br A? Nice even golden brown.

[Olie]

Where'd you say it was, Smitty?

[Smitty]

What?

[Olie]

The bread.

[Smitty]

Why, right where you're looking. In the oven.

[Olie]

No it ain't.

[Smitty]

Oh sure it is.

[Olie]

I tell you it ain't. The oven's empty.

[Smitty]

Say, what have you been drinking?

[Olie]

Well, if you don't believe me, come.

[Smitty]

On and look for yourself. Oh, you never could find nothing nowhere, see? Well, I'll be darned. Where'd you put me? You sneaked him out and hit him.

[Olie]

I know I did nothing of the kind.

[Smitty]

Come on, tell me why ain't so.

[Olie]

Much as laid eyes on them loaves of bread? Smitty, I swear.

[Smitty]

Well, somebody's took them. They was in this oven here not five minutes ago.

[Olie]

You sure?

[Smitty]

Of course I'm sure. I come over and took a look at em to see if they was done just before you come in.

[Olie]

You don't suppose one of the boroughs could have stole them, do you, while your back was turned?

[Smitty]

How could a borough lift up the lid of a Dutch oven, carry off two loaves of bread?

[Olie]

We'd have to be educated.

[Smitty]

Lamest thing I ever knowed. Two loaves of bread disappearing into thin air.

[Olie]

Maybe you didn't bake them at all. Maybe you just dreamed it.

[Smitty]

You smelled them, didn't you?

[Olie]

That's right, I did.

[Smitty]

Ohly.

[Olie]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Ole, look over yonder where I'm pointing. What's that sticking out from behind that big boulder?

[Olie]

Why, it looks like a couple of long cactus leaves.

[Smitty]

It's a pair of ears, maybe white ears. Only it's.

[Olie]

Now don't jump at conclusions, Smitty.

[Smitty]

Let's go. See, I told you this had happened. I knowed he'd turn up again. There. And you see, I was right, sure enough.

[Olie]

It's old whiskey. Don't. What's the matter?

[Smitty]

Don't you dare give him a name.

[Olie]

Why not?

[Smitty]

Don't you know that once you name an animal, he's yours?

[Olie]

Who says so?

[Smitty]

Why, it's.

[Olie]

You mean.

[Smitty]

So long as he's got no name, he's a stray, a stranger, a rank outsider. But just you give him a name, any kind of a name, and he belongs to you.

[Old Ranger]

I see.

[Smitty]

What are you laughing at?

[Olie]

For a stranger, this fella has certainly made himself right at home. Look.

[Smitty]

My bread.

[Olie]

What's left of it.

[Smitty]

My beautiful, fresh, hot crusty bread. Oh, you varmint, you. You thieving little son of a rustler. You ferocious fuzz tail.

[Olie]

Careful, Smitty. Don't call him names.

[Smitty]

Calling him names ain't the same as giving him names. I can call him all the names in the dictionary if I feel like it. Yes, and I do.

[Olie]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Grin, grin. You lop eared, sawed off limb of Satan. You white curse. You evil eyed, aspenurious impidartness. You fucking. Well, I reckon I'll hit. Hey.

[Olie]

Well, you can turn in if you want. I'm gonna sit up a while longer. What fur? Oh, I just ain't sleepy, that's all. I'll smoke another pipe full and.

[Smitty]

And wait up for him, huh?

[Olie]

Wait for who?

[Smitty]

You can't fool me, Olie. You're worrying about that burrow.

[Olie]

Do you suppose something has happened to him, Smitty?

[Smitty]

Well, let's hope so. Then maybe our luck will change.

[Olie]

I can't see as we've had any bad luck on this trip.

[Smitty]

No, nor any good luck neither. We ain't smell the smell Boar. Ole.

[Olie]

Look.

[Smitty]

Where? Coming toward us out of the night.

[Olie]

What?

[Smitty]

It's. It's him. The prodigal. Hush, hush, will ya? If he hears you.

[Olie]

Well, that ain't him. Why, if it was him, he'd be praying by now. That burro ain't making a sound.

[Smitty]

It's his Ghost? Then come to hant us.

[Olie]

It's the spitting image. You're right, Smitty.

[Smitty]

It is his ghost.

[Olie]

No, him, himself.

[Smitty]

What's he. What's he walking so queer for?

[Olie]

Why, he's sick or hurt or something. What is it, old boy? What's happened? Come over here by the fire where I can see ya.

[Smitty]

His eyes is closed tight and his.

[Olie]

Head'S all swelled up.

[Smitty]

Say, what in tarnation?

[Olie]

Looks queer around the jaw, too. Open your mouth, fella, and let's have a look. Open your mouth.

[Smitty]

Won't, huh?

[Olie]

He can't. His teeth is clenched.

[Smitty]

What is it? Lock jaw?

[Olie]

Rattlesnake bite? Look here on the nose. You can see where the fangs went in. Yes, sir.

[Smitty]

He's done for. Then.

[Olie]

We may be able to save him.

[Smitty]

Save him?

[Olie]

We'll do our best, anyhow.

[Smitty]

Are you crazy?

[Olie]

Where's that permanganate of potassium?

[Smitty]

Holy.

[Olie]

Oh, here it is.

[Smitty]

What are you going to do?

[Olie]

Rub it in the wound, of course.

[Smitty]

Holy.

[Olie]

You stand still, old fella. I won't hurt you. Now, this is going to do you good.

[Smitty]

Only have you went clean out of your senses. This critter's a jinx, a hoodoo.

[Olie]

We can't just stand by and watch him die.

[Smitty]

Well, why not? We don't want him. Nobody wants that.

[Olie]

Makes no difference. He's a poor dumb animal and he's in misery.

[Smitty]

Then put him out of it.

[Olie]

Well, just what I'm trying to do.

[Smitty]

I mean, shoot him, you fool.

[Olie]

No, you put that gun down.

[Smitty]

You quit working on him then.

[Olie]

I can't, Smitty. Don't you see?

[Old Ranger]

I can't.

[Smitty]

Why can't you?

[Olie]

He come to us for help. He trusts us.

[Smitty]

Trusts us. A white burr.

[Olie]

Well, tain't his fault he was born white. Only look, his eyes is opening. The potassium permanganate is beginning to work. Oh, his jaw is loosening. Now, if I can just get some whiskey down him.

[Smitty]

Hey, that's my whiskey.

[Olie]

It's our whiskey here, boy.

[Smitty]

Ole. I've stood for a lot. But if you pour so much as one drop of that liquor down that white varmint's throat, we bust up, you and me.

[Olie]

Tip your head back. That's it. Now let me stick the bottle in between your teeth.

[Smitty]

So, Oli, I'm warning you.

[Olie]

A little more now. We're through.

[Smitty]

Yeah, we're through, Smitty. You can take your pick of the burrs, Oli, and your share of the grub and things.

[Olie]

You're not going on?

[Smitty]

No, I'm Going back to rhyolite.

[Old Ranger]

And now, 10 days later, in a brilliantly lighted saloon in Rhyolite, we find Smitty doing his best to forget about Olie and the white burro.

[Smitty]

He's in his second childhood. That's all you can say for him.

[George]

Yeah, yeah.

[Smitty]

Have another. I don't mind if I do. Yes, sir. All he needs a nurse or a keeper or something. What's the matter? How can you beat that? A burr walking straight in through the swinging doors, looking for a drink. See, he's heading straight for the bar. Jumping Jehoshaphat. It's the white burra. What? Your bur I was just telling you about. He's come back to hoodoo me again. Ah, you're just seeing things.

[George]

Here, have another drink.

[Smitty]

It's him, I tell you.

[Olie]

Look.

[Smitty]

Look at that scar on his nose. That's where the rattlesnake bit him. Must mean O's back then. Funny he come back so soon. Said he was going to stay out another 30 days. Say, maybe located something. Not with that white bur alone.

[Old Ranger]

Look out, look out.

[Smitty]

He's going to bite you. Hey, get away from me, you unlucky barmit. What do you mean grabbing hold of my coat? Let go of me. You hear me? Get away from me. Get out of here. Go on back to that old fool Oie. Yeah, that done it.

[George]

He knows Oli's name all right, don't he?

[Smitty]

Why wouldn't he? Well, why don't you go? What are you standing there for? What are you looking at me like that for? Take them eyes off of me, you. You hear me?

[Olie]

Say.

[Smitty]

Say, he's trying to tell you something, Smitty. Oh, I ain't interested. Something's troubling him. Yeah, his conscience, maybe.

[George]

You don't suppose something could have went wrong, do you, with Olie?

[Smitty]

Be his own fault if it did.

[George]

I just wondered.

[Smitty]

Well, what could have happened to him?

[George]

Oh, nothing, most likely.

[Smitty]

Ole's a old desert rat. He knows all the water holes in Nevada. Got plenty of grub. Well, that being the case, how about another drink? No, no, I've had enough, thanks. This one's on the house. I can't stop now. All right, you. Where is he? Is he here in Rhyolite? No. Then show me where. Hey, Submitted. Where you going? Wherever this critter takes me. You mean I'm going to look up Olie?

[Old Ranger]

Well, it was just about sundown of the third day out that they found him laying unconscious at the bottom of a narrow canyon.

[Smitty]

Holy thank The Lord. He's still alive.

[Olie]

Oli. Huh?

[Smitty]

It's me, Smitty.

[Olie]

Smitty?

[Smitty]

I come as fast as I could.

[Olie]

He brung you here, did he?

[Smitty]

Straight as a die.

[Olie]

Good boy.

[Smitty]

He. He turned up in Rhyolite just like.

[Olie]

I told him to.

[Smitty]

I knowed right off that something was wrong. What happened, Olie? Where you hurt?

[Olie]

My leg broke. Yeah.

[Smitty]

Yeah. Yeah, I can see.

[Olie]

I was following some float up the mountain. It was getting dark. Like a fool, I didn't want to stop. And somehow or other I lost my.

[Smitty]

Foot and fell clear down here.

[Olie]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Oh, a wonder you wasn't killed outright.

[Olie]

Shows how tough I am. Gosh, I know I could never make it back to town even if I had a bur to ride.

[Smitty]

What happened to your burrs?

[Olie]

They went off. I don't know where all but this fell. He stuck by me until I. I sent him away to get help. I figured I had enough water to last Meagle. You could get here if you'd come.

[Smitty]

Wiolia. Of course I'd come.

[Olie]

I didn't know. I was sort of afraid.

[Smitty]

You think I'd let you die out here alone?

[Olie]

Alone with my samples, huh? They're around here summers.

[Smitty]

Samples of war.

[Olie]

I run across something mighty good, Smitty. Here. Here's one of them. Take a good look at it.

[Smitty]

Let me see. High grade.

[Olie]

I'll say.

[Smitty]

Real picture rock.

[Olie]

I'll bet she has saves a trip to Europe for time. If we wanted to go to Europe. Which we don't.

[Smitty]

We?

[Olie]

You and me.

[Smitty]

Oh, but.

[Olie]

But, Oliot, we're still pardners, ain't we, Smitty?

[Smitty]

Oly, I don't deserve it after the way I treated you.

[Olie]

Heck, you just saved my life, didn't you?

[Smitty]

It wasn't me. It was the white burra.

[Olie]

A white borough.

[Smitty]

Ole.

[Olie]

Yeah.

[Smitty]

Have you named him yet?

[Olie]

No.

[Smitty]

Then let's give him a name now, Smitty. After all, he's earned it.

[Olie]

You know what it'll mean, don't you?

[Smitty]

That he'll be ours for the rest of his life. Yes. All right. I'm willing.

[George]

You have been listening to another true story of Death Valley days brought to you by the Pacific Coast Borax company, producers of 20 Mule Team Borax for household use. 20 Mule Team Borax soap chips in the big blue and yellow sunshine box for washing clothes and dishes. And the new Boraxo for toilet use. Your grocer can supply you with all of these products. All of them are inexpensive. All of them bring the miracle of Borax into your home in convenient form. For example, 20 Mule Team Borax in its neat red and white and black package, is the perfect cleanser for ice boxes. Why? Because 20 Mule Team Borax is a gleaming white powder that is clean as desert sunshine itself and absolutely odorless. Just what you want to cleanse food containers. Take a pan or bucket of warm water and dump some 20 mule team Borax in it. Wring out a clean cloth or sponge in it and wipe the entire inside of the icebox. Take the cube trays out and wash them separately again in warm water in which 20 mule team Borax has been dissolved. When you are through, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your ice box, where most of the family food is kept in summer, is absolutely sweet and clean, with no odor left from the cleansing to spoil the flavor of the food.