Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-02-08


young commander led uDhesitatingly to
the gateway on the northern line A
sergeant of his troop and two private
soldiers were his escort at the moment;
third man, by direction of Col. Brainard,
had been sent at the gallop in pursuit Of
the distant speck which the orderly had
pronounced to be DR. Quin, and the in
structions which this messenger bore
were to the effect that the post surgeon
should ride by the most direct route and
join Lieut.. Perry at the north gate Of the
ranch,
In the few minutes which elapsed be-
tween the announcement of the doctors
departure on his solitary and unexpected
ride and the arrival Of the little mounted
escort, Perry had time to tell the colonel
something Of the situation down the
Monee and to make rough sketch Of
the Enclosure and the distant buildings
The direction taken by the doctor, up to
the moment when the black speck dis
appeared from view in the waning light,
would be very apt to lead him, if he rode
far enough, 30 some point on the wire
Of Dunraven; but that point would be at
least five or six miles south of the valley.
Possibly there YVES 40 gateway north of
.hat-cc1 tai>-ly no trail was visible on
he prairie; but the more Mr., Perry
thought Of the matter rs he rode away
he moro was he satisfied that some
where far down that western line there
was an entrance where Dr. GUN, at
east, had the ''oren sesame"
Perry's orders were, In case nothing
was seen or heard of Sergt. Gwynna
while on the way thither, to enter the in
closure and make inquiries at the ranch
itself. Meantime, the Cheyenne scouts
had been hastily summoned from their
lodges along the Monee just above the
post and sent scurrying forth upon the
prairie to trail the horses foot prints and
50 work back as far as possible before
darkness interposed. Capt. Stryker. too,
and a dozen Of his best men, had mount
ed and ridden forth in long, scattered
line across the eastern plain; and these
parties were all five miles out from the
post before nightfaIl fairly hid them from
view.
One thing the sergeant had to tell Mr.
Perry which confirmed him in the belief
that the sooner they got to Dunrayen the
quicker they would be at the scene Of
their comrades mishap, whatever that
might prove to be, He had had no time
| himself to visit the stables and examine
the wounds on the horses flank, but as
they rode away from Rossiter he turned
III the saddle and called the nOn-commis'
stoned officer to his side.
"What sort Of wound is it, sergeant,
that made the horse bleed so-bullet OF
knife2"
ut doesn't look ike either, sir, There
! are several Of them, jagged scratches in
the shoulder and along me flank, like
thorns or nails
cor barbed wire?" suggested the lieu
tenant suddenly
Eyes, sir, like as not; though we hadn't
thought Of that, not knowing Of any
fences hereabouts."
you'll see fence enough presently,
That's where Wen find Sergt. Gwynne.
too. Let your horses out a little.
| want to get there before dark, if posi-
ble."
1t was dark in the timber, however, as
they rode through and refined up at the
gateway. 1t would be half an hour al
the very least, thought Perry, before the
doctor could join them, if he came at all
1t was by no means certain that the mes.
senger had overtaken him, and, even il
he had, was it probable that the doctor
would be in great haste to come? His
mysterious movements Of the morning.
his undoubted connection with the night
signals from the ranch, the fact that he
had given his commanding officer nc
inkling whatever of these outside inter
ests OF his, all tended to make Perry dis
trustful Of their post surgeon. Hewould
not speak Of it to a soul, or hint at the
possibility OF such thing, until he had
evidence that was indisputable, but the
young officer was sorely perplexed by
these indications of some secret and IN.
lawful enterprise on the part OF theil
new comrade, and he doubted his sym.
pathy in the mission on which they had
been hurried forth
Dismounting to examine the gate while
still bordering this matter over in his
mind, Perry found It locked as securely
as he had left it in the morning. Tbs
sergeant and his men dismounted, too
at a low spoken word from their officer
and stood at the heads Of their painting
horses, looking in silent surprise at tie
strong and innervious barrier thai