Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-02-18

men he knew were enemies, who had
been crouching by his side, should
glide away into the forest without n
parting shot.
IL was difficult task 70 make their
way over the fallen trees TO the spot
where they had left their horses, but
they reached II 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 glimmcr Of daylight fails us"
Luckily the sharpshooters were prac-
ticcd horsemen, for the debris Of the
storm made their ride too much like
stccple-chnsc 10 be practicable TO men
whose seats in their saddles were not
firm. Az II was, Lieutenant Ferguson
rot an ugly fall which broke his
r'bone, and Franks charger
b..adcred over tho trunk OF tree,
landing its rider in the mud, with no
other damage, however, than torn
coat and some very strong language,
which Rev. Lubins ma would not have
approved OF had she been near to hear IL.
They reached the rendezvous at last.
Cling up as they arrived, and Frank
noticed with pain that the ambulance
wagon bore It's load Of misery.
zone man killed and four wounded
Charlie reported, briefly.
And what of the cnemy?'
"Ilcaven knows. They are in force,
though, at least two hundred strong.
II IL 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. ! am
afraid he must have rctreated TO es-
cape the tornado, 1t came his way,
You know, and he would see It long be-
fore we did"
"Then all can say is that we arc In
Queer street, for as soon as those bcastly
brigands have got their breath they'll
be down on us like the wolves on tn,
, fold"
Like enough, Charlie. Well, we cal
, but do our best, and ! don't doubt bu
! that we shall be ablo to give fair nc
: count of ourselves"
Does this thing that imagines itsel
7 road lead anywhere, wonder?' Char
, lie unused. SAY, where's your guide
D Major9"
, hut that was n question that Fran
y could not answer, for the last he ha
e seen of him was when he was howlin
G In an agony of fear behind rock Will
the storm was sweeping over them.
r Hes here all right, sir" interposcd
! l,nl nv1 laa irt
/ Ibis old mule scrambled along after u
T somehow but I'm afraid you won
l. get much out of him, as that lttl
), shower shook him up considerable
n The guide could not tell them mucl
/, Only that about three miles further u
n there was deserted tobacco factory
d and that, II orders could reach him, Car
e tain Gregory might make a detour tw
d miles north and get there without n
crossing the wood,
l. Frank jumped 10 a conclusion q
Is once. Turning TO his sharpshooters b
said;
ID II want man 10 ride TO CAPITA
10 Gregory-it is a dangerous trip-wl
voluntcers2"
X Every right hand was raised al
Q every tongue cried: ~, sir."
III will choose the man with the be-
d, horse" the Major said, well please
~ with the result.
II To hear those gallant fellows exp
Of tiate on the merits OF their mounts sc
4, would have thought that Uncle Sam III
% equipped them all with thoroughbred
Il but Frank had q good eye for nj
10 and quickly selected q strong, we
W ribbed black mare that took his fancy
10 That's mine, sirl" cried young 81
nd der, as joyfully as though he'd won
II lottery prize.
Frank first fed the lad and his hors
III and then started him on his dangero
en- ride, giving him instructions 10 Il
10 Captain Gregory, II he could find hi
TO make his way 10 the factory, width
We without delay, he too, started with
N liiila trhnh.