Evening journal., 1892-10-13
CHAPTER XVII


1t was not a coincidence that Captain
Burton's party, when ready to leave the
valley, should head in the same direc-
ton as that pursued by the outlaws. It.
was simply the same line Of reasoning.
The influx Of gold seekers would natur-
ually mass the Indians on the western
border to oppose them, and it was rea-
soned that the route to Fort Sully would
be unopposed. In going out Of the val
ley, however, each party took diff
ferent route, and it was not until the
gold seekers arrived at the forts Of the
Cheyenne and the soldiers encampment
that they knew the outlaws had passed
on before and only two days ahead.
81 had rather have them ahead than
behind" said the captain when he heard
the news. "If they can get through
we ought to be able to-"
II don't like it, answered Joe with a
shake Of the head. "They were a des-
perate lot before Taylor Joined them,
and you know how he feels toward us.
1 believe they have come this way to
ambush us, and from this on we can't
keep our eyes open too wide"
"Thats true" added Harkins. "Tay-
lor knew what we were after, and
through him all the others know. l
think they played spy ON us and dis
covered that we had struck the treasure.
They dared not attack us in the valley,
as we would be on our guard, but
shall be greatly disappointed if they do
not show their hands before our second
day down the river is over"
The party remained in camp with the
soldiers only one night, and as in the
case of the outlaws the contents of the
wagons were not suspected. They were
looked upon as one of the hundred un-
successful expeditions already returning
disgusted from the diggings. They were
given three cheers by the soldiers as they
moved out, and camp had been placed
only a few miles behind when a vigilant
outlook was maintained for the outlaws.
Three times during the day, when the
party was obliged to pass locations where
a foe could lie in ambush, scouts were
sent ahead to make sure that no trap
had been set for them. Their pace was
not so rapid as that of the outlaws, and
it was noon Of the second day before
they approached the scene Of the tragedy
brought about by Taylor.
While yet two or three miles away
the scout, who was riding in advance,
halted and waited for the others TO come
up.
"what is it," asked the captain as all
had closed up.
"Lookw
lowering over the grove straight
ahead was a cloud of buzzards. What
their presence signifed every man
knew
"They are low down." whispered the
captain.
(which means DEATH" replied Joe.
"While they are waiting for wounded
man or horse to die they sail high"
"The other party has been attacked
and wiped out, fear"
"Can't be otherwise. There's certain
to be sight there which the women
should not be permitted TO gaze upon.
Some Of us had best ride ahead and see
what can be DONE"
Joe, Harkins and a third man were
dispatched on the errand, and they
found it one to try their nerves. When
they had approached Close enough to gel
a view of the camp they knew it to bC
the camp of the outlaws, for there wer,
the horses and wagon. The vulture'
numbered hundreds, and while part oi
them were running about on the ground
others sailed slowly about in short cir
cles and hesitated to alight.
Look at the horsesr exclaimed Joe.
The animals had been staked out OF
ground furnishing scant pasturage a
best. For three days they had haC
neither food nor water, and as Joe spok,
they were making tremendous efforts t
break their lariats or pull the iron pin
from the ground.
There are dead men there" whis
pered Harkins, with pale face. "but th'
bnzzards are afraid of the horses"
The trio moved forward. They wer
greeted with whinnies Of welcome from
the suffering horses. but for two or threl