The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-17

though used TO plague him sometimes just in
fun-but don't know what else 10 think, The
men say he has been little wild at times sIuce
he got from under the old mans care, bat
don't know SIR. | wouldn't be apt TO know
what was going on in the barracks there at
Robinson
Blunt turned sorrowfully away and began to
pace slowly mp aud down the bank Near at
hand, over a little campfire, his coffee pot was
bubbling and kissing euticingly. but even the
aroma OfhIs accustomed morning beverage failed
toattract him. What was he TO do? What could
he do? Ordered 10 remain there TO escort the
Captain safely to Red Cloud on his return from
the court, il WAS impossible to pursue. Equally
unwise would il be to send small squad.
Waller had taken his life in his hands when
he rode away through the night hut he could
cross the Rawhide aud be in comparative
safety. 50 far rs Indian attack was concerned,
by sunrise of this day. Now that daylight had
come, Blunt we'll knew that every stretch of
prairie from the Platte to the White River
would be thoroughly searched by keen and
eager eyes. aud death would be the very least
that any small party of whites could expect.
lie knew perfectly well that already he aud
his little troop
WERE BEING CLOSELY sCRUTINTzED
from the distant ridges Had he not seen in
the tepecs of the Cheyenues but the week
before many rs three pairs of binocnar
field glasses and had not Col. Randall told
him they knew their use and value as we'll rs
anyone? IL there was only some way of gcRing
word to Capt. Charlton at Laramie! There ran
the single wire of the military telegraph, but
there WAS neither Office nor station nearer than
Red Cloud Agency. No man IN the troop would
thank him Tor bcing ordered To 60 either way
with dispatches, though he knew the order
would be obcyed. Silently and goomly, in-
ste al of with their usual CHEEKY aacrity, the
men had got 10 work with their curry. combs
aud brushes and were touching up their horses
while waiting for their own breakfast; aud
presently BIunts Orderly came forward, hold
ing a tin cup of steaming coffee.
Won't the Lieutenant drink little of this,
sir and try bite of bacon? There isn't much
appetite in the troop this morning, sir, but it
amt so much because the moneys gone. I've
known the old Sergeant and the boy nigh onto
10 years now, sir, an l never thought 'twoald
come 10 this"
Blunt thanked the soldier, and sat down at
the edge of the rushing stream, slipping his
coffee and trying 10 think what 10 do. The
drink warmed his blood aud cheered him up a
trine. Ordering his horse 10 be saddled he
mounted and, taking his rifle, rode through
the NiObTara and out upon the open prairie on
the other side. ii was not long before he found
the hoof-tracks made the night before, aud,
without knowing why, he slowly followed
them out towards the low ridge at the south
west. For ten minutes he went at n quiet
walk aud with downward searching eyes as he
reached the road. striving bo decide which
hoOf prints were made by Walters horse.
Suddenly back At camp lac heard the ringing
report of a cavalry carbine borne on the rising
breeze, and. whiTling about, saw that they
were signalling to him. Putting spurs To his
steed be gailoped full tilt for the ford, aud then
for the first time saw the cause OF the excite
.sA IL 4
easily down towards the troop came an Indian
pony and an Indian rider. but not in ~ar-psinI
aud feathers. As Mr.. Blunt plunged through
the stream he recognized the young hali-breed
scout known to all the soldiers as Little Bat.
and Bat without a word rode up and handed
him letter 1t was from the commanding
officer at Fort Robinson, and very much TO the
! point. IL read somewhat follows:
Capt. Charlton telegrsphs that nc will be
detained several days. Meantime you are
needed here as the Indians are again quitting
1 the reservations in large numbers. Move I'M
mediately upon receipt of this"
That evening therefore the little troop once
I more rode down the valley Of the White River
! the Smoking Earth" rs the Indians called
/ it-and by sHnset were camped AT Red Cloud
/ In much distress Of mind Mr.. Blunt called
/ upon the commanding officer To tell him oi
| the disappearance Of the money and his trump
! eier, and 20 ask the C0ioneis advice rs to the
/ proper course for him 10 pursue. 10 was agreed
/ that kilograms should be sent at once to the
! Captain al Fort Laramie aud 20 the command
I ing officer at Sidney Barracks on the railway
I notifying them Of the crime aud the descFtiou
/ Blunt begged for a moments delay until u,
could hear from Scrg't Graham, whom be has
sent 10 make certain Investigations and Ion:
before tattoo the Sergeant came, and with hin
4 the Hospital Steward.
/ Lieutenant, the store keeper says he sold
! jnsi such a hand erchief as that 90 TEumpetci
/ waller last week. aud the Steward eau tel
( ah0ut the chloroform.'
Both officers looked inquiringIy at thr
/ Steward.
/ AYES. sir. Il was pay day that young Wallc
/ handed me a pcucllci note from Serg't Gra
! ham. saying be had bad tOothaehc, and asl.in;
/ for a little chloroform. and / gave IL to him"
! 81 never wrote such a note. sir. and ncve
sent him On such message" said Graham.
Ito be eonfiauodl