Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-07-30
Copyright. 1897. by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Co.
CHAPTER xvu.-CoNr1NuED.

And when the fury of the tornado
was spent it seemed quite natural to
Frank that the half-dozen figures of
men he knew were enemies, who had
been crouching by his side, should
glide away into the forest without a
parting shot.
way over the fallen trees to the spot
they reached it at last, to find the snort
ing, trembling beasts unframed, save
one that lay struck dead by lightning.
Push on, men," Frank cried. LET
us get out of this Internal wood before
the last glimmer of daylight fails u.s."
Luckily the sharpshooters were prac-
ticed horsemen, for the debris of the
storm made their ride too much like a
steeple-chase to be practicable to men
whose seats in their saddles were not
firm. AS it was, Lieutenant Ferguson
got an ugly fall which broke his
collar-bone, and Franks charger
blundered over the trunk of tree,
landing its rider in the mud, with no
other damage, however, than torn
coat and some very strong language,
which Rev. Lubin's ma would not have
approved of had she been near to hear it.
They reached the rendezvous at last.
Fulton and his men were already stray
Cling up as they arrived, and Frank
noticed with pain that the ambulance
wagon bore its load of misery.
Zone man killed and four wounded, :"
Charlie reported, briefly.
''And what of the enemy?"
Heaven knows. They are in force,
though, at least two hundred strong.
If it had not been for that precious
storm breaking on US they would have
wiped us out without doubt. But,
have you heard nothing of Gregory,
Major?"
Nothing whatever, Charlie. I am
afraid he must have reiterated TO es-
cape the tornado. It came his way,
you know, and he would see it long be-
fore we did,
Then all can say is that we are in
Queer street, for as soon as those beastly
brigands have got their breath they'll
be down on US like the wolves on the
fold"
Like enough, Charlie. Well, we can
but do our best, and I don't doubt but
that we shall be able to give fair &C
count of ourselves"
''Does this thing that imagines itself
a road lead anywhere, wonder?" Char
lie unused. Say, where's your guide,
Major?"
But that was o question that Frank
could not answer, for the last he had
seen Of him was when he was bowling
in an agony of fear behind a rock while
the storm was sweeping over them.
Josc he. oil .irrl,f 81 INT a
sergeant who had heard the inquiry;
This old mule scrambled along after us
somehow; but Pm afraid you won't
get much out of him, as that little
shower shook him up considerable.
The guide could not tell them much.
Only that about three miles further on
there was deserted tobacco factory,
and that, if orders could reach him, Cap
tain Gregory might make detour two
miles north and get there without re-
crossing the wood.
Frank jumped to a conclusion at
once. Turning to his sharpshooters he
said:
81 want man to ride to Captain
Gregory-it is a dangerous trip-who
volunteers"
Every right hand was raised and
every tongue cried: ST, STRIP
81 will choose the man with the best
horse" the Major said, well pleased
with the result.
To hear those gallant fellows expa.
tiate on the merits of their mounts you
would have thought that Uncle Sam had
equipped them all with thoroughbreds,
but Frank had good eye for nag
and Quickly selected a strong. well
ribbed black mare that took his fancy.
That's mine, sir!' cried young sol
der, as joyfully as though he'd won {
lottery prize.
Frank first fed the lad and his horse
and then started him on his dangerou!
ride, giving him instructions to tel