The Florida agriculturist., 1889-12-04

he concluded that between fatigue and
rasped nerves the young fellow would be
glad to go to bed, SO he said, kindly:
"Well. won't keep you, Perry, you're
tired out. I'll sit up and see the doctor
when he gets back and have talk with
him, then decide what steps we will take
in the morning. I'll send a party down
the valley at daybreak, anyway May l
offer you some whisky or bottle of
beer?"
''Thank you, colonel, believe not to-
night bath and nap will set me all
right, and I'll be- ready to start out first
thing in the morning. Good night, sir. ?
But Col. Brainard could notgo to sleep.
The garrison had turned in" all except
the guard and Capt. Stryker That officer
had returned an hour after dark, and,
getting fresh horse, had started out
again, going down the south side of
the Monee to search the timber with
lanterns, the Cheyenne scouts having
reported that q vynne's horse had come
up that way He had been missed by
Mr.. Perry who galloped up the trail to
catch the platoon before it reached the
post. and the colonel, now that he had
heard the lieutenant's story, ~sas impa-
tientlv awaiting his return Up to with
in few minutes of midnight, however.
neither Stryker nor the doctor had Gomez
dim lights were burning in both their
quarters and at the guard house. Every
where else the garrison seemed shrouded
in darkness, Catching sight of the yellow
chevrons as they fitted through the flood
of light that poured from his open door
way the colonel instantly OWNED that
this must be sergeant Of Strykers troop
going in search of his captain and
promptly hailed him
"What is it, sergeant? Any news?'
Yes. sir answered the soldier, halt
ing short 'Sergt. Gwynnes come
back | was going to the captains tc
report.
'How did he get back? Isn't he in.
jured?'
''He says he's had fall, sir, and has
been badly shaken up, but he walked in. >
"Why. that's singular! Did he see
none Of the searching parties?-see none
of their Iights?'
Il can't make out, sir. He's a. little
queer-doesn't want to talk, sir He
asked if his horse got in all right, and
went and examined the scratches, and
seemed troubled about them, but he
doesn't say anything: .~
''Has he gone to the hospital?
''No. sir: he'll sleep in his usual bunk
at the stables tonight. He is only
bruised and sore, he says. His face is
cut and scratched and bound up in his
handkerchief.
every well,'' said the COLONEL, after q
moments thought ''The captain will
look into the matter when he gets back
You take your horse and ride down the
south side of the valley and find the
Cheyenne scouts. Capt. Stryker is with
them Tell him the sergeant is home
safe
every WELL sir" And the trooper
saluted, faced about, and disappeared
in the darkness; while the colonel arose.
and, putting thoughtfully at his cigar,
began pacing slowly up and down the
piazza. He wished Stryker were homej
he wished Capt. Lawrence were officer
of the day, and. so. liable to come out
of his quarters again: he had heard just
enough about that odd English ranch to
make him feel disturbed and i'll at ease.
There had evidently been hostility be-
tween his predecessor and the proprie-
tor of Dunraven, and very probably
there had been bad blood between the
Al. T.