Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-02-29

IOFtAIA uDOunucQ AQulrrela,
pigeons and RULED grouse, and the "oalr
openings afforded many n fine shot at
the far-famod pinnated grouse, OF prairie
chicken.
However, most pleasures will pail In
time, and on the fifteenth morning after his
arrival young Pcnroso found himself wish
ing, as he drowsily turned in his bunk, for
some new aud more exciting phase Of the
sport. He was oven contemplating a speedy
return 20 tho East when his brother en-
tered, unccrcmoniously, with excitement
visibly depicted on his face.
"Holloi Gcorgel What's the matterl"
said Park, rising 10 a sitting posture.
"Easier told than remcdicd 70 answered
George Penrose, in n rather annoyed tone
"You have heard me speak Of my sheep
ranch, out across the West Forkl II you've
been there you know it's In charge Of my
man, Baptisto. 1 hadn't been there for a
week, 80 / rode over this morning TO SEQ
how things were prosporing and what do
you think foundr'
Park was now fully awake and listening
interostedly.
GLOW should Lnowl What was it,"
about quarter Of my sheep In the in
closure and perhaps twice as many moro
wandering about on tho prairie outside
The rest arc missing"
Sand Baptiste"
"Missing too. That's the strangcst part
oft Nothing about the shanty Is disturbed
70 show that violence has been done. Bap-
tiSto Is, or always has been, Trustworthy, so
lcan't reasonably blame him until learn
the particulars. Do you mind riding over
after breakfast and we will round up the
sheep and aftorward find the fellow, II pos
nrN1 - -. n
or panther and have been seriously hurtp'
Park hastoncd TO announce his willing
ness and commenced DOMINIC his apparel
" Brcakfast is ready, boss !" announced
Ole, Penrose's tow-headed cook and general
assistant.
The two sat down 10 plain but substan-
tlal meal, which they hurriedly dispatched.
BY the time they had finished, Ole had the
horses at tho door.
Five minutes later, well armed and accom-
panied by two trusty hounds, they were
galloping toward the rancho.
Tho sheep were found as George had
said Aftor allhad been secured i'm the cor
raj they were counted and nearly one-fourth
OF tho flock found 20 be missing.
Now for the traill" exclaimed Park.
Together they went carefully over the
ground outside tho corral. Not a fresh
track, human or animal, was 70 be found,
except those Of the stampeded sheep.
Nevertheless, George Pc nrose discovered
something that interested him. II was a
round, shallow mark in tho dust, resem-
bling somewhat the trail left by an object
dragged over the ground. No tracks were
near IL, however, and he was puzzled as to
the cause Of the peculiar mark.
"Herc Nero Tigerl" The hounds spranR
forward. a moment later no was showing
them tho trail.
For an instant they shifted ut II eagerly.
Then there was most surprising change
In their demoanor; their baying ceased,
aud with dropping tails and hair standing
on end the hitherto fearless dogs skunk
away toward the shanty, and no amount Of
persuasion could induce them to take tho
scent again.
Como on" said George 10 his brother.
This viii evidently lead us TO the solution
OF the mystery, whatever il isp'
Shall we not first look for Baptistelr
We viii be as likely TO find him by fol-
lowing this as in any other wayp
Accordingly they turned their horses
heads and rode away, following the strange
trail
10 wound along the sandy bank OF the
creekfor some distance, then disappeared
Crossing tho stream they presently dis
covered II on tho opposite side.
From thence u led across a broad stretch
OF prairie, then curved TO avoid n strip Of
woods, and finally, late In the afternoon
they lost u In wooded ravine, between two
steep and rocky bluffs.
During all this time they had discovered
no traces Of Baptisto, but occasional bits Of