Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-06

are not aimed at you any more than any
body else. He simply wants to be lie
alone. He bought this tract and settled
here because he wanted a place where
he could have things his own way-see
people whom he sent for and nobody
else. Every man in his employ is ex
pected to stick to the ranch so long a.
he is on the pay roll, and to carry gu,
his instructions. If he can't, he may
60"
"And your instructions are to prevent
people getting into the rancho"
"Oh, hardly that, you know. We don't
interfere. There's never any one to come
as a rule, and, when they do, the fence
seems to be sufficient"
Amply, should say; and yet were
to tell you that had business with the
proprietor and needed to ride up to the
ranch, you would open the gate yonder,
l suppose
No; l would tell you that the owner
was away, and that in his absence /
transacted all business for him."
We'll, thank you for the information
given me at all events. May 1 ask the
name of your misanthropical boss? You
might TIL him l called"
Several officers called three years
ago, but he begged to be excused"
'And what is the name!'
"Mr. Maitland-is what he is called"
Cali right. Possibly the time may
come when Mr.. Maitland will be as
ANXIOUS to have the cavalry around him
rs he is now to keep it away. But if
you ever feel like coming up to the fort,
just ride in and ask for me-"
81 feel like it a dozen times a week,
you know; but man mustn't quarrel
with his bread and butter. met one of
your fellows once on a hunt after strayed
mules, and he asked me in, but couldn't
go. Sorry, you know, and all that, but
the owner won't have it,"
"Well, then there's nothing to do for
it but say good day to you. I'm going
back. Possibly I'll see some of your
people up at Rossiter when they come to
get a horse shod."
ga horse shod! Why, man alive, we
shoe all our horses here!"
well, that fellow who rode out of
your north gate and went up towards the
fort about an hour or so ago had his
horse shod at a cavalry forge, or I'm a
duffer."
A quick change came over the En-
glishman's face; flush of surprise and
anger shot up to his forehead; he
wheeled about and gazed eagerly, lower
ingly, back towards the far away build
lngs.
How do you know there was
What fellow did you seer" he sharply
asked.
"Oh, don't know who he was" an
swered Perry, coolly. "He avoided me
just as pointedly as you did-galloped
across the Monee and out on the prairie
to dodge me; but he came out of that
gate on the stream, locked it after him,
and went on up to the fort, and his horse
had cavalry shoes. Good day to you,
my Britannia friend. Come and see us
when you get tired Of prison life" And,
with a grin, Mr.. Perry turned and rode
rapidly away, leaving the other horse
man in brown study.
Once fairly across the Monee he am
bled placidly along, thinking of the odd
situation OF affairs at this great prairie
and almost regretting that
he had paid the ranch the honor of a
call. Reaching the point where the
wagon tracks crossed the stream to the
gateway in the boundary fence, he
vista in the cottonwoods. There was the
dismounted, STOPPING over
the ground and evidently examining
the hoof prints at the gate. Perry
chuckled at the sight, then whistling
for Bruce, who had strayed off through
the timber, he resumed his jaunty way
to the post.
In the events of the morning there
were several things to give him abun-
dant cause for thought, if not for lively
but he had not yet reached
the sum total of surprises in store for
him. He was still two miles out from
the fort, and riding slowly along the
bottom. when he became aware of a
trooper coming towards him ON the trail.
The sunbeams were glinting on the pol
on the bright yellow chevrons of his
snugly fitting blouse. Tall and slender
and erect was the coming horseman, a
model Of soldierly grace and carriage,
and as he drew nearer and his hand
went up to the cap visor in salute a
gesture from his young superior brought
an instant pressure on the rein. and
horse and man became an animated
statue. 1t was a wonderfully sudden
vet easy check of steed in rapid mo-
lion, and Mr. Perry. a capital rider him
self, could not withhold his admiration
Where did you learn that sudden
halt, sergeant he asked. 4 never saw
SO quick except the Mexican
but that strains a horse and
throws him on his launches"
1T is not uncommon abroad, sir" was
he quiet answer. Il saw it first in the
English cavalry; and it is easy to teach
he horse"
81 must get you to show me the knack
some day. I've noticed it two or three
lines, and would ike to learn it, What
stopped you for is this: You've been
stable sergeant ever since we got here,
nave you not?'
Yes, sir
Then if anybody besides members OF
he troop had horses shod st our forge
Tou would be pretty apt to know it,
Il know that no one has, SIR" And q /
lush was rising to the young sergeant's |
ace and panied look lowering about |