Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1891-10-21

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opening outward on to the cold, wind
swept Enclosure, a struggle to shut the
same, and tall, smart-loolxing officer
entered, helmet in hand
''Oh, that's you, Hamertonl I was
just going to send for you There's 3
row up Khunaz way. James, Of the
police, wounded Gihazis again killed
q lot Of people. I'm ordered TO send an
intelligent officer to investigate the
thing and report. You'll have Q tick-
lish job, but can rely upon you. I've
been thinking whom you had better
take. You see can only spare one or
two, either Bates or Thompson. Bates
has the longest head, and yet Thomp-
son-well, If It came to blows, some
how I should pr efer Thompson. But
do as you like"
AS he said this the colonel instructive
~ glanced at the pile of papers beside
him. Bates name happened to lie up
permoSt with its every question snug
ly and neatly answered. Thompson's
had trisked of gayly in the open door,
and was but just saved from being
chewed under the table by Hamerton's
puppy, who had followed his master In.
ut shall be little Billy" said Maj.
Hamerton to himself, and proceeded to
the discussion Of further details con-
corning escort and commissariat ar
engagements for the small expedition.
A little before nightfsll they started,
party of fifteen in all-the two Eng
lish officers, Billy In state of the
widest joy and bursting with impor-
tance, a duffedar, and twelve sowars of
the Khunaz horse. "A second telegram
had been received soon after the first
saying that the Gihazis, who were few
in number, had taken themselves off;
that native hospital assistant was In
charge OF James, the wounded police
officer, and that he was to be brought
back here, because there was no other
European doctor nearer than Quetta-
Hope we como across the beggars,"
Billy said, gleefully.
But the colonel, who had ridden out
a little way with the party and had
wished them good luck" found him
self saying something like a prayer IN
his heart for the safe return of the two
men, who were, in his opinion, the very
pick of the regiment
In times of peace these inglorious
little brushes with sneaking Gihazis are
not among the pleasantest features of
service In A1ghsnistan. To an old SOL
der they SAVIOR too much of that pot
ting from behind hedges TO which no
military glory Is attached He does
not care about sending out good men
to furnish targets for skulking devils
who have no ground for quarrel, but
are merely possessed with a fanatical
desire to spill Ferringbee blood. Where
fore the commanding officer was i'll at
ease, and for the next two days there
fell q dullness and a malaise upon
everybody in camp.
Upon the third day after the depart
ure Of the expedition the colonel rode
out to reconnoiter, along with the doc
tor, who was always game for ride
The commanding officer was more
anxious than he allowed to appear.
Somehow, two years sojourn In those
dreary wilds draws men very close to-
gether when they are made of good
stun. The party ought to have re-
turned ere this, and the colonel's heart
was disquieted within him. He was
scanning the horizon carefully, when
suddenly he pulled up and shaded his
eyes
whats that little cloud Of dust, doc
tori Is It devil or q couple of
horsemen2"
The doctor, whose eyes were younger,
answered that Il was no devil" but
horsemen, and that they were making
for camp.
by Jover' exclaimed the colonel
with his feld glasses up, lit is-it's
Thompson with q sowarr'
In another moment they were cut
ting across to meet them.
Billy was riding length or two in
front, and his jaded horse pulled up Of
It's own accord as he neared the ap-
preaching riders. The sowar saluted
and remained stolidly mmovable in
the background Both men an d horses
were caked with dust and wore a
weary, detected air.
Were bringing in James all right"
answered Billy, In response to tho
colonel's questioning gesture. "But
we had fght-Gihazis, this side
KhunaL- Hamerton's badly wounded.
I've come on for the doctor-his onlv
chance. The black fellow bolted who
was looking after James. Can the
doctor 60 at once, sirP This sowar
wants fresh horse-that's all"
After word or two with the COM
mandant the doctor sped toward camp
with the sowar at his heels. He paused
for moment by the side Of Billy and
looked him in the face.
Il shall be under way In ten min
utea," he said Look here, old fellow,
you've had about enough; go home and
turn in" He was struck by the look
Of agony and mental strain on the boys
face.
After that the colonel got very few
young fellow was done up, and ques-
toned him little. His mouth was
Parched, so that he could with difficulty
articulate. His strong young figure
was bowed over the horses neck. As
they were nearing camp the doctor
with his escort rode out and called back
some cheering words to him. Five
minutes later they were out of sight
Once within camp limits the colonel
dismornted, and, giving his horse over
to syce, walked beside the young
officers horse with his hand on his
neck. Several fellows came up with
greetings and congratulations.
Come straight to mess and have
something to drink before you tell us
anything" said the colonel, taking
hold of the horses bride as he spoke.
At the same moment he felt it slacken
within his grasp, and looking up he
saw that Billy was Keeling in his sad
die and that his lips were bloodless
Il think I'm gone," he muttered,
feebly, and fell sideways of his horse
into the coloners arms
They carried him over to the mess
and began taking of his military great
coat Then something made him open
his eyes, and his face took a little,
1