Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-05-08

and what seemed to be human figures
moving about. Beyond it all, to the
east and south, were herds of grazing
cattle. and here and there in the dim dis
lance horseman moved over the prai-
RE. This reminded him of the stranger
who had given him the slip; and he
gazed westward in search of him
Far up the valley. between him and
the distant post, he could plainly see a
black object just descending the slopes
from the southern prairie to the stream.
Not another was in sight that his prac-
ticed eye did not know to be cattle
That, then, was his horseman, once more
going FORWARDS in the valley, after hav-
ing made three or four mile detour to
avoid him. Now, what sort of Chris
tan is that fellow" thought Perry, as
he gazed at the distant speck Going
to the fort, too. By thunder! I'll find
out who he is, anyhow Now I'm going
to the ranch"
Down the slopes he rode. Down the
winding trail once more he trotted, peer
ing through every gap among the cot
tonwoods, shaking Nolan's thirst at lit
tie pool in the stream, and then, after
another long half mile, he came to a
| sudden turn to the right. The road
dipped and twisted through the stream
bed, rose to the other side, wound through
the cottonwoods and then out on the
open turf Huzza! There it stretched
up the slopes straight away for the south,
straight through broad gap between
! two heavy gate posts standing on the
stake line of that rigid fence Nolan
broke into Il brisk canter and gave a
neigh of salutation; Perry's eyes glistened
with anticipation as he bent over his
chargers neck, keenly searching the odd
looking structure growing on his vision
as they neared the fence. Then, little
by little. Nolan's eager stride shortened
and grew choppy. Another moment,
and horse and rider refined up short in
disappointment. Between the gate posts
swung a barrier of cobweb lightness,
slender and airy as spider ever wove, but
bristling with barbs, stiff as ''bullfinch"
and unyielding as steel. One glance
showed Perry that this inhospitable gate
was firmly locked.
For a moment he sat in saddle, study
ing the situation, while Nolan poked his
head over the topmost strand of wire
and keeping at respectful distance from
the glittering barbs gazed wistfully over
the inclosed prairie in search of comrade
guadruped who could tell him what
manner of place this was. Meantime
his rider was intently eying the heavy
paddock that was secured on the inner
side of the gate. 1t was square in shape,
massive and bulky-something utterly
unlike anything he had ever seen among
the quartermaster's stores. Dismount-
ing and holding Nolan well back from
the aggressive fence with one hand
he gingerly passed the other through the
spike fringed aperture and turned the
paddock so as to get better view. Ii
was of English make, as he surmised.
and of strength suffi rient to resist any
thing short of trip hammer. Evident
" no admission was TO be gained here, he
reasoned, and yet it was through here that
that horsemen had come but ali hour be-
FORE Here were the fresh hoof prints in
the trail, and IT WAS evident that the
rider had dismounted, opened the gate
led his horse through, closed and fast
ened it, then remounted and ridden
away. Perry was plainsman enough 10
read this from the hoof prints Studying
them carefully. a look of surprise came
into his face; he bent down and closely
examined the two or three that were
most clearly defined upon the trail. then
gave a long whistle as means of ex-
pressing his feelings and giving play 10
his astonShmPEt
johnny Bull hohis himself too high
and mighty to have anything to do witt,
us blarstrd Yankees. it seems. except
when he wants his horses shOd 1hpor
shoes were set 1T the post blacksmith
shop. or I'm Il duifpr." was the lieuten-
ants verbal comment. Nor, how was
it done without the qaartermaster's
knowing it? That's the cavalry shoer'
Pondering over this unlocked for reve-
lation. Mr.. Perry once more mounted
and IurnP, his disappointed steed again
down strssm. At last, full half . mile
farther on, he saw that wire fence ran
southwark again across the prairie, as
though marking the eastern boundary
of the homestead inclosure, and con-
occurring that there was probably a trail
along that fence and an opening through,
even if the southeastward line should be
found fenced still farther, he sent Nolan
through the Monee to the open bank on
the northern side, cantered along until
the trail turned abruptly southwark,
and, following it. found himself once
more at the fence just where the heavy
corner post stood deeply imbedded in
the soil. Sure enough, here ran another
fence straight up the gentle slope to the
south, trail along its eastern side, and
broad cattle gap, dusty and tramped
with the hoofs of thousand steers, was
left in the fence that, prolonged down
stream, SPAWNED the northern boundary
Inside the homestead lot all was virgin
turf
Following the southwark trail, Perry
rode briskly up the long incline, 1t was
east of this fence he had seen the cattle
herds and thoir mounted watchers. He
was far beyond the ranch buildings, but
felt sure that once well up on the prairie
he could have an uninterrupted view OF
them and doubtless meet some Of the
ranch people and satisfy himself what
there was in the stories of their chIIrlish
and repellent demeanor. The sun was
climbing higher all this time, and he,
eager in pursuit of his reconnaissance,
gave little heed to fleeting minutes. If
fair means could accomplish it, he and