Dodge City times., 1888-06-21


in their fright forgetting they might
not be able To find any thing to eat for
several days. Then they crowded, in
the darkness of the night, down to the
old cypress tree designated BY Captain
Hardy.
Meanwhile Captain Hardy went back
to the store and dug up his money.
Near the shore. but standing in the
water was hollow stump, and in this
strange safe Captain Hardy dropped
his bags of gold and silver. He took
his gun and some ammunition. but left
all else, and then he, too, hurried to
the boat.
As soon rs possible the fugitives
were seated in the boat. which was
overloaded with the crowd, and then
Captain Hardy directed them where to
row. There was Il narrow strip of
ground between the river and the
creek that seemed a comparatively
safe spot to hide in during the coming
day. The Indians would not miss
them till evening, when they went to
attack the village, and there was no
other boat on the river that they could
get to cross over. As to swimming,
the alli@ators would not permit that.
They landed at last, a sorry company,
and hurried on through the swampy
marsh and on over the hummocks till
they reached the designated spot. 1t
was growing daylight by that time,
and they could see each others white
faces.
Suddenly shrek was heard. "Where
is John? Where is my little boy?'
frantieally asked woman in the COM
pany.
Il thought you had him." answered
the father.
Il thought you had him yourself"
she groaned in. reply, and sank down
on hummock.
Have you seen him since you start
ed?' asked Captain Hardy.
Yes" said the poor MOTHER II
brought him to the river in my arms,
and then l put him down on the sand,
and the mother sobbod outright.
''Hush! hushr' said Captain Hardy.
Tonight l will get your boy" but
the promise gave the distracted mother
little hope.
1t was a long, long day they spent in
that place. The mosquitoes and sand
flies nearly devoured them. They had
nothing to eat, and dared not shoot any
of the game that was all around them.
But at last the sun set red in the west,
and they knew the Indians were steal
ing up to the deserted village. Cap
tain Hardy waited little while longer,
till it began to grow dark. Then he
went to the distressed mother, who all
day long had sat with her elbows on
her knees and her head buried in her
hard hands.
''See here" he said, taking costly
gold watch from his vest pocket, Il
want you to keep this for me till come
back. And this, too" drawing hand
full of money from his pocket; ..and if
l never come back they are yours. But
you may expect me in a few hours, and
your boy with me-" Then he left
them
Captain Hardy knew the nature of
the Indians very well, and could give
shrewd guess as to their probable
course of action. He knew the next
to their thirst for revenge was their
thirst for tire-water, of which he had
left an ample and undiluted stock in
his store. Baffled of their revenge he
reasoned that they would next seek the
fire-water, and he knew that the gen.
erous draughts in which they would in
dulge would soon lay them out sense
less in long stupor, and then he could
safely 60 back into his store.
He knew also that the lost child, who |
was five or six years old, and bright |
little fellow, too, would naturally re-
turn to his fathers cabin, which was
only short distance from the old cy-
press tree to which the boat was usually |
tied, and where he had often been. The |
Indians would find him and take him
prisoner, but would not harm him, as |
they would keep him to be ransomed |
by the whites; and he fully expected to
see the boy with the Indians.
Noiselessly he rowed his boat to the |
landing. secured it to its old place,
then crept as quietly as an Indian
would have done up to the little collec-
ton of cabins. All was still till he
reached his store; but inside he heard |
loud, drunken snores. He also heard |
the sobs of a chiid-pitiful, weak,
weary sobs. as if he had wept till he
he could weep no more. Captain |
Hardy entered and felt around in the |
darkness till his hand touched the
child-for he was asleep |
though still sobbing-then he carefully |
and quietly took him in his arms and
carried him to the boat. and laid him
down on the bottom of it. He did not
fear that the boy would wake he was
too exhausted to waken easily.
Again he crept back to the store, and |
cautiously entered. All was quiet as
before, except that the breathing was
louder; for the Indians had taken the
undiluted whisky in liberal draughts.
He knew just where to find what he
sought. He took sack of rice from
shelf, and two hams from beam over
head, to which they were suspended.
He filled his pockets with tea-then a
scarce and costly commodity, and once
more returned to the boat The child
still slept, but his sobs ceased. Cap
tain Hardy put the provisions into the