The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-10

In the cavalry camp on the Saline the
troopers were busily grooming their horses az
tho picket-line. The Captains OF companies
near by were experimenting this important
duty, while the Colonel, surrounded by group
Of officers, nearly all Of whom were smoking
their matutinal pipes, stool in front Of Head.
quarters tent, drinking inIthe charming land
Seape aud delicious freshness OF the early Sum
mer morning Suddenly, as bis eyes happened
TO rest upon the double cones OF tho Twin
Mounds that doomed up blue and clearly dc.
fined in the coming light from the east no
pointed with field glass he held in his hand
in their direction, and exclaimed:
Look gentlemen, look mirage!
mirage" Of"
Everyone turned and presently, while all
were gazing with eHchantment on the strange
phenomenon. far above the peaks, in the sky,
but inverted. two moving figures appeared,
surrounded by that waving, purple mist char
acteristic OF the mirage on the great plains.
One Of the celestial apparitions was in the
similitude Of n man, the other Of a beast. Both
were gigantic and exaggerated in outline /;
both graphing in a deadly struggle!
Every soldier stopped his work to watch the
curious picture suspended in the heavens;
some regarded il with "a superstitious awe.
thoroughly frightened at the manifestation,
which they never dreamed Of as within the
range Of possibilities!
The Colonel recognized the huge figure Of the
man in the clouds, disprOpOrtiOnei as he was
10 be the scout who had left him the after
noon before, but what the beast was none OF
the men could make out.
Great Ccsar!' cried the Colonel; what =
place for battle, away mp there in the clouds.
IL reminds me of Lookout Mountain, when !
was with Hooker
Everyone iniently watched the strange COM
bat, filled With excitement at the novelty Of
the thing, until presently the figures appeared
10 fall over an immense precipice aud vanish,
although they seemed TO disappear with an up
ward movement Then there was nothing left
but the inverted mounds, the woods and the
prairie Of the wonderful mirage; il, too, was
all dispelled in a few moro moments.
Tho Colonel turned to his Adjutant and
ordered boots and saddles sounded at once.
For we must be of" said he, addressing the
officers around him generally. Life may de-
pend upon our pr0mptness IN reaching the scene
OF that strange conflict"
In less than a quarter Of an hour the column
had moved ont, headed la bee-line" for the
Twin Mounds, every man in the whole COM
mand as anxiOssls his comrade TO reach the
place. for all were excited over what they had
witnessed.
Ii required four hours Of brisk marching
before they arrived on the plateau at the base
of the Mounds, and by that time il was past 1
there, while tho Colonel, the Adjutant. the
Surgeon. several other officers and detail Of
five enlisted men instituted a search for the
missing scout.
la little while they found the bodies Of
Hart and the pather close together, lying IN the
shade Of tho huge oaks, where they had fallen
ia their last struggle and when they had dis
appeared TO those who had watched the combat
from their camp on the Saline.
Hmm examination the SuruNOn diseOvpFpl
that the scout was alive, but terribly lac
Grated by the sharp claws and teeth Of the
panther, as well as badly bruised in cOnse-
qucuce Of his fail from the ledge Of rocks.
though no bones were broken, nor were any Of
hi, wounds necessarily serious. He had merely
become iusible from loss Of blood and cXhaus-
ton incident TO the awful struggle. The Doctor
placed n flask Of brandy 10 the unconscious
mans mouth, which he pried open with Jack s
own knife, still Clutchcd in his right hand
when discovered, and in a few moments, as the
stimulating liquor reached his stomach, he
slowly opened his eyes. looked around in a
bcwildered manner at first, then apparently
taking in the situation Of affairs at "A glance,
partially raised himself aud In hoarse whis-
per- pointing in the direction where he had
left her. said
Susie Reaume! Near the spring! Quick
for Gods sake!"
who" replied the astonished Doctor
Susie, a woman, here toof"
Jack had by this time gotten over his diLzi-
ness somewhat. and was able, focbly, to intel
ligenily convey the story Of the awful massacre
at the ranch his relations 10 the wounded
girl, aud tie state Of affairs when attacked by
the panther. Then looking At the sun, and
realizing that hours must have elapsed since he
had LEFT Susie. he urged tho Doctor 10 90 at
once, upon which he attempted 10 get on his
feet 10 guide him 10 the spot, but he was too
weak yet, aud would have fallen If one of tho
men had not caught him.
No! no." exclaimed the Doctor, when
he OWNED Jacks intention; don't try TO
wall, yet. I'll leave one Of the troopers to look
after you, and I'll 20 aud attend 10 the young
girl Immediately. You'll be all right in half
an hour then you en- follow"
So with directions from Jack, the Doctor
tho Colonel, aud two soldiers started for the
spring, which they found without any difficulty.
the trail to that point having been explained
ia such a clear manner by the anxious scout
Entering the maze OF willows by wcll-beaten
trail that led from the kitchen door Of the
destroyed cabin, they found Susie ia nearly the
same position which Jack had left her ea.ly i'm
the morning, sitting on the grass against the
big elm, weak and fcycTish. She invOluntarily
gave little cry Of surprise when she saw the
officers approaching, and with a slight blush
mantling her checks, laid the rifle she h~d
raised from the ground at her side, when she
FIRST heard footsteps, back ia its place aud bowed
her head gracefully in response 10 the Colones
courteous salutat!on Both he aud the Doctor
were surprised 10 fnd 50 much refinement and
culture as Susie cviGced, in such an unlocked
for place.
"Miss Susie" said the Colonel, as he irressti-
bly, lifted his hat 10 the charming picture Of
Tusticity, 81 have brought our Surgeon, at
Jacks request, who will see what he can DO for
you, and then Wen find means TO transport you
comfortably to Fort Harkcr. where you can be
properly cared for. The Doctor will tell you
all about Jacks mishlp - there, don't DO
alarmed" as Susie made cOnvulsiye start
hes all right, aud will be hero presently" Then
bowling again, the Colonel aud his two men re-
tined some distance while the Doctor, as mod
estly as possible, cXa mined the gentle girls
wounds, aud told her the story Of Jacks strange
adventure.
Susie Reaumo vas a the strongest af-
fCCtiOns, but not in the degree demOnstTa.
two. Her grief 20 horrible fate of her
fltEer, brothers and 81 was as deep as the
circumstances were aP e her love for the
young scout as pure a. Jnld be enduring,
but on both subjects o! tie sorrow which had
come TO her Ia a single day she was reticeut, or
communicated so little that the first impress
siOn5 Of the Colonel aud the Doctor were that
sho was rs emOtiOniess a. a marble statue.
There was never greater error Of judgment (;
cOnccalmcnt Of her anguish was a prominent
Characteristic Of her nature, while she suffered
unutterable mental torture.
By the time the Doctor had finished dressing
Susic's wounds the command was well estab-
liglpd in cnmD IN tho gfrpar, and dinner in