Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-09-01

spOI anu udu woven a larry carpet OF
flowers all over the plain. teaching the
grim landscape the meaning of a smile.
Only for a few beautiful days in all the
year Is the ground moist and fragrant,
and covered with delicate short lived
blossoms Like lovely ghosts they
come and go-the white wild hyacinth
bells. the small red tulip, the exquisite
purple iris Ii was with these sweet
visitors that the influenza came. deal
ing suffering and death among the
lonely scattered outposts. where com
forts are few and Injuries for the sick
~unprocurable.
But IN this January the plain was
barren of any verdure or vegetation,
save for "A leaiess shrub that rows
low upon the earth and gives out a fra
GRANGE resembling that OF wild thyme.
And you could see right away to tie
horizon ia one direction and as far as a
chain Of low. rocky hills in the other
Upon the third day after the depar-
ture Of the expedition the colonel rode
out % racOunoiter along with the doc
tor, who was always game for a ride.
The commanding officer was more anx.
ious than he allowed TO appear Some
how a two years %sojourn in those dreary
wllds draws men very close together
when they are made of good stun. The
party ought TO have returned ere this,
and the coloneIs heart was disquieted
within him. He was scanning the hor-
lion carefully. when suddenly he pulled
up and shaded his eyes.
What's that little clori of dust
doctorl Is it a devil or a couple Of
horsemenT'
The doctor, whose eyes were younger,
answered that il was no devil" but
horsemen. and that they were making
for camp.
by Jovel" exclaimed the colonel
with his field glasses up, 1T is-it's
Thompson and a Sowarf'
In another moment they were cut
ting across to meet them.
Billy was riding a length OF two in
front. and his iaded horse pulled up
Of its own accord as he neared the ap-
preaching riders The Sowar saluted
and remained stolilly immovable in
the background. Both men and horses
were caked with dust and wore a
weary. detected air.
Were bringing in James all right
sin" answered Billy in response to the
coloneIs questioning gesture. But we
had a fght-Ghazis. this side Khunaz.
Hamerton's badly wounded. I've come
on for a doctor; his only chance. The
black fellow bolted who was looking
after James. Can the doctor 90 al
once, siri This Sowar wants a fresh
horse. that's all"
After a word or two with the com
mandant the doctor sped toward camp
with the SOwar AZ bis heels. He
paused for "a moment by the side of
Billy and looked him in the face
Il shall be under way in ten min
utes," he said Look here. old fel-
low, you've had about enough; 20
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
words out Of him. He saw that the
young fellow was done up. and ques-
toned him little. His mouth was
parched so that he could with diff
a~rticulate. His strong young fig
1re 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
1ismounted, and, giving his horse over
70 a syce, walked beside the young Off
,er's 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
lnything," said the colonel, taking hold
the horses bride as he spoke. At
he same moment he felt it slacken
his grasp, and looking up he
'aw that Billy was Keeling In his saddle,
that his lips were bloodless.
IL think I'm done, " he muttered
jeebly and fell sideways of his horse
nto the colonel's arms.
They carried him over TO the mess
md began taking of his military great q
'oat Then something made him open
lis eyes, and his face took a little
distorted smile.
Hold hardp he gasped Il think
got a bullet somewhere, and-and
my arms smashed"
why, damn it'll" groaned the col
mel, laying him gently down, and look
ng around upon the circle of horror
tricken faces, 'fhe knew this, and he
las sent away the doctori'
II was some weeks before Major
iamertOn was able to tell the story Of
Lieutenant Thompson's heroic conduct;
when he himself was wounded and
{ the mercy Of the murderers the
Dung officer defended him single
landed; how afterward he pushed on
nto Khunaz and brought out James of
nolica mora daad than aIfva ard