The National tribune., 1889-10-31

consultation with the post commander, and
after guard mounting they returned TO the
Coonel's house, where a tall infantry soldier,
the Provost Sergeant, was awaiting him.
Back Mt the cavalry camp there was no little
subdued chat and wonderment among the
troopers. Louuging in the shade OF the
trees along the stream, and putting away at
their pipes, playing cards, as soldiers viii, and
poking fun at one another in rough, good
natured ways, the men were yet full OF the
one absorbing theme-Fred Walters most un-
accountable disappearance and the loss OF so
much of their hATd-earucd money.
" i would have bet any amount" said Corpi
Wright, that when tho old man''-the Captain
| is almost always the old man 10 his troops
"got back he would
RIDE OVER sERG'T DAWSON RoUGHsHoD
for letting Waller slip away on his guard; but
i listened TO him this morning and he talked TO
him just like Dutch uncle. l tell you,
Dawson felt heap better after il was over
lie said the Captain never blamed him Mt all"
Noon came; SO did an Orderly, telling Mr..
Blunt the Captain wished TO see him over at
the telegraph Office and to order the horses fed
at ouce. Forty-eight big portions of oats were
poured from tho sacks forthwith. Dawson and
Donovan were not yet back.
Leave theirs out" said Serg't Graham;
they'll be back presently. This means busi-
ness again, and no mistake. Where's the trouble
now, L wonderG"
Shall we look and see Far to the south,
far beyond the bold bluff of the White River,
far beyond the swift waters of the Niobrara-
=" l. Eau qui Court" of the old French trapper-
far across the swiring flood of the North Platte,
and dotting the northward slopes, swarms of
naked, brilliantly painted red warriors in their
long, trailing war bonnets Of eagles feathers,
are darting about on nimblc ponies or, crouch
ing prone along the ridges, are eagerly watch
ing dustClOud coming northward on the Sid
ney road. Behind them, between them aud
the Platte, are the weltering. mutilated bodies
OF half dezcu herders and teamsters. and the
smoking ruins of their big freight-wagons.
Like the tigers taste of blood. the savage tri-
umph in the death of their hapless foes has
tempted them far beyond their accustomed
limits Knowing the cavalry To be scouting
only north ofthc Platte they have made n wide
GetOur and swoopcd around TO this danger
haunted road, eagerly watching for the coming
Of other white men, who. like the last, should be
ignorant Of their presence and too few in num-
bers to cope with such n foo. Hero along the
ridge, north of the little branch" of the
Platte, baif a
HUNDRED YOUNG WARRIORS
crouch and wait Farther back, equally
yigilant other bands are hiding among
the breaks and rayines near the river, while
their scouts keep vigilant watch for the COIN
ing of cavalry. Forests Grays and Wallaco's
Sorrcls cannot be more than a days ride away.
and will be hurrying for the road the moment
they know the Indians have slipped arouHd
them. Wallace, up the Platte, has already
heard.
1t is o'clock this hot, still Sunday afternoon,
and they have been six hours ont from Sidney,
driving swiftly aud steadily northward, when,
as they reach the summit of high ridge and
stop TO breathe their painting team, Col. Gaines
ak ta.f- sr..19 9rrIwr
in front is the shallow valley of the little
stream now called the Pumpkinsced," though
pumpkins were unheard-o of features in the
landscape Is years ago.
on to their right front several miles away,
lie the low, broad bottom lands of the Platte.
Across the Pumpkinseed, mile distant, an
other ridge like The one on which they halted,
only not so high; 20 the westward tumblng
sea OF prairie upland-all battes," ridges, va
vines, coulees-but not living soul is any
where in sight. Far as his practiccd eye can
sweep the horizon aud the broad lOwlands Of
the Platte, not sign of living moving object
can Col. Gaines detect. Turning around he
trains his glass upon the tortnous road they
have been following, aud along which the dust
is slowly settling in their wake. Something
TO attract his gaze for he holds the biuoclc
steady toward the south. Naturally Capt.
Cross and the two soldiers follow with their
eyes; the third infantTyman has dismounted
and IS readjusting the Eirths OF his saddle.
What IS it?" asks Cross.
=" can't mako out" is tho reply. "SOme-
thing is kick ing up dust there some miles
behind as. A hOT5cman. / should say, though
I've seen nobody Wait few minutes. He's
down in a swaie now, whoever II Is"
Everybody tarns TO look aud listen. Those
were days when even such things as a single
horsemau,
FOLLOWING IN PURSUIT,
had meaning that is lacking now.
Three. four minutes they wait ia silence, and
then the Colonel suddenly exelaims:
" / have him-a mere dot yet"
Presently he lowers his glasses and dusts
the lenses with his handkerchief. His face is
graver.
Whoever that Is, he's riding for all he's
worth" he says. ] half believe he wants TO
catch u.s."
Another long look. Utter silence in the
party. A mule IN the wheel team gives an im-
patient shake Of his entire system, and chains,
tugs and swing bars all rattle Doisily.
Quiet there. you fool" grows the driver
angrily. and with threatening sweep of his
long whplash. Then the silence becomes in.
tense again, and every man strains his eyes
over the prairie slopes, shimmering in the heat
OF the July sun. Suddenly an exclamation
bursts from two or three pairs Of bearded lips.
Far away, but in plain sight in that rare atmos-
phere, speck OF a horseman darts into view
over distant ridge. sweeps down the slope 1T
full galiop. and plnnges out OF sight again Ia
low dIp Of the rolling surface.
No man rides like that unless there's mis-
chief abroad, mutters Cross coolly az he swings
out Of the wagon TO the ground. Give me my
rife, Murray"
| Then. sudden as thunder-clap from Summer
| sky with wild, shrill ciamor, with thunder Of
/ hoofs and sputter Of rapid shots; with yell
/ and tauBt and hideous war-cry; from the very
| ground ITSELF from behind every little ridge
| up from the rayines down from the prairie
buttes; hurling upon them in mad, raging race,
| there flashes into sight of their startled eyes q
horde Of painted sayages
The Sioux! The Sioux" yells the driver,
as he leaps from the box. " Hang on to your
mules!" shouts Cross Down with you, men
Fire slow They'll veer when they get in
closer How!"
Bang goes Cross's piece. Bang! bangl the
! rifles Of tue nearest soldiers. The mules plunge
| wildly, and are tangled In an instant in tho
traces. Over goes the wagon with a crash.
Bang! goes Gaines's big Springfield as he cOOlly y
spreads himself upon the ground. An Indian
pony stumbles aud hurls his rider on the turi
and Cross gives an exultant cheer Yet, all the
same, be knows full well that now il is life OF
death. Tho little party is hcmmed ia by u host
Of savage foes
ITO be eontfnued.l
Comrades: If you wish for profitable bust.
ness. we refer you 10 the advertisement on
page 3, headed Better than Pension"