The National tribune., 1889-10-31

Abandoned nut the GrDunu WAS MuIu shiooth
and hard; yet in the hollows were accumu-
lations OF dust blown from the roadway mp
the stream Around here the pony tracks
were thick, and just within the gaping
doorway were footprints in the dust-some
of spnrred bootheels and broad soles one,
still more recent, of Sioux moccasins.
Through the solid log walls two small
square windows had been cut and narrow
slits for rifles in the days when the occu-
pants had frequent occasion TO defend their
prairie castle. The opening to the subter-
Tanean keep" was yawning under the
eastern wall, it's wooden cover having long
since been broken up for fuel. Charlton
stood moment within the blackened and
dusty doorway and glanced curiously
around him.
Except for the new footprints it all looked
very much as il did when he had first taken
occasion 10 inspect the interior earlier IN
the Summer. There was nothing left that
anyone could carry away, and he wondered
why the Indians should have troubled
themselves to dismount and prowl about.
An Indian hates house on general princi-
pies. and enters one only when he expects
TO make something by il. Those recent
footprints nearly effaced by the moccasins,
Were donbtless those Of some of Blunts
killing trooper 10 stroll cut here and take
look at the place. The sunshine, streaming
in at the open doorway, made a brilliant
oblong square npon the earihen floor and
lighted n the grimy interior. The steps
cut d0Wa 10 The dark dugout were cTum-
bling away. and II was impossible 10 see
more ihan a few feet into the passage lead
ing to the underground fortress where as
final resort in Indian siege the little garrison
could lake refuge. A lantern or n candle
would show the way, but Charlton bad
neither Taking out his match-caSe, how
ever, be bent down, struck light and
peered IN. Somebody had done the same
thing within the last Gay OF two, for there
were the
STUB ENDS or TWO MATCHES,
tust Ike has in the dust at the bottom Of the
steps and there. too-ycs-he lighted another
match aud studied il careluily-there was the
print of cavalry boots going in and coming out
again. Whoever was his predecessor he had
more curiosity than the Captain. Charlton
had seen prairie "dusout" forts before, and
did not care 10 waste time now.
Returning TO the open sunshine he made the
circuit 81 the house. and on the north side
stopped aud studied with an interest he had not
feit before. A stout post WAS still standing on
that side and 10 this post cavalry horse had
been tetheTed within two days, and stood there
long enough 10 Paw and tramPle the ground all
around 81. Charleton was CsyaiTyman enough
70 read IN every sign that the steed had been
most unwiilingly detained. In evident i'm
patience be had twisted twice and again around
that stubborn. buiiet-scarred stump. and the
troop commander could almost see him. paving
vigorously. iugging al his - halier-shank aud
plunging about bis hated but relentless ia!!or.
and neiziiing loudly. 10 hopes Of calling back
his departing friends. Charlton felt sure that
as the tEo0p rode away some one of the men
had turned hack and remained here some little
time.
A hundred yards across the prairie was the
double Gle" trail Of the detachment on its
straight line Tor the ridge. and here, only a
little distance out, were tue hOof-priut of a
troop horse. both coming and going. Even
more interested now, the Captain went some
distauce Out across the prairie, and still be
found them. Leaving the hut aud following
70 Overtake the troop the horse had instantly
taken tse Rali0p; the prints settled that. But
what struck Capt Charlton as strange was that
the other tracks-thOse which were made by
the same horse IN coming 70 the hut-were still
20 b. found far out toward the northeast IL
was evident then. that the rider had not turned
back ffoIH the command until il had marched
some distance from the AiObrarA: that he Lad
not gone back to the bank where they had been
in camp, IS would have heen the case had he
lost OF LETT something behind. but had come
here 70 fh.s abandoned hOye3 southeast Of the
trail Now what did that mean2 One other
thing tAe Captain did not fail 10 note:
THAT HORSE had CAST A SHOE
Late - it was when he reached the camp on
Mhife kigeT that Bight-alLsr midnight as il
pFoved-tgb4rlton found his yonng Lieutenant
mp and anZously awaiting him. When the
horses hsd ail been cared Tor, aud the two OFF,
GERS were alone near their tents almost the
first question asked by the Captain was:
Did yOu give any man permission 10 ride
hack after you left the Ai0bTaFa Friday morn
ing!"
''No si7." answered Blunt. In some surprise.
No one asked, and every man was in his place
when We made our hrsi matt"
Immediately after reveiile Oh Sunday morn
ing good bour before the sun was high enough
% peep Ogcr the tall white crags 70 the east Of
the little camp. the two officers were out al the
line EupeTintcHding the grooming Of the horses.
Fifty men we're now present for duty, and 30
active steers were tethered there al the picket
rope, nipliug at each Others noses or nibbling
al the rope itself, aud pricking mp their ears rs
the Captain stopped 70 pat or speak 70 one after
another 81 his pets. Always particularly care
1ulOf Lis bOrsos, Capt Charlton on this bright,
sunsbiDy morning Was noting especially the
condition OF their feet. Every one Of those 200
hoOfs was keenly scrutinized as he passed along
the line. But there was nothing unusual in
this-he never let a week 20 BY without IT,
EOu seem te have had a number reshOd with
IN the last ie~ hours, Sergeant" he said to Gra-
hzm, Is he stopped at the eud OF the line.
q" Yes, cir; ] looked them all over yesterday
morning. Livery sBOe Is snug and ready now
IN case We have TO 20 out. Seven horses were
reshod yesterday, and over 20 had the old shoes
tackled on"
Grooming over, each trooper vaulted onto the
bare back oi his h0Hse and rode in orderly col
umn down 10 the running stream, and still
Charlton stood there silently watching his men
and noting The condition Of their steeds. Blunt
was Dnstling about his duties every now aud
then looking over at his sOldiery Captain.
Something told him that the troop commander
BAD MADE DISCOVERY
or two that bad set him 10 thinking. He was
even B8re silent than usual.
At c'cioek, after refreshing dip ia pool
under the willows close at hand, the two OFF,
Gers were seated on their camp-stools and break.
fasting at the I'D Of the mess-chest. Over
among the brown buildings Of the poet, half 4
mile away, The bugles were sounding mess cal
and the infantry people were waking up 70 the
ouues of the day. Down the valley, still far.
theT % tie east, the smoke WAS curling from
the tiny fires among the Indian tepees, and
scores Of ponies were grazing out along the
slopes watched by little urchiHs 10 picturesque
but dirty fatters. III was very still and peacs