Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-09-07

few minutes the matter was settled; the
ponies were sulkily trotting along the
bank beyond the bend, headed for home
and hard work again. with the ambu-
lance mules braying at their heels. Here
the younger Indians, the boys, took
charge, and from the distant slopes,
from south and east and from the prai-
RE TO the west, the others came canter-
ing toward that sharp angle half mile
away and gathered in eager consulta-
lion about one who seemed TO be their
leader.
All this, and much more. Brewster
and his men were watching with bound
ing pulses, in breathless excitement,
Brewster with feelings Of mingled hope
and despair. Now he knew that the
ambulance must be somewhere near at
hand. possibly up that long ravine on
the south side that slanted in from the
prairie not hundred yards away below
them. Surely the banks looked as though
there were n good ford at that point.
Might not that be the very one of which
Ellis spokeg Now, If it were but posi-
bic to drop back ont of the drifts in
which they were hiding and recross the
stream, they might yet creep unobserved
into the mouth of that gully and feel
their way afoot until. somewhere in the
snow, they came upon. as he now felt
sure they must. the stormbound wagon
with its precious contents. From their
crouching place it was impossible TO see
across the ridge that separated them
from the ravine referred TO; but to the
southeast the prairie lay before them,
and the keenest eye could detect no sign
of hollow between that which lay so
near them and that from which those
vagabond mules had emerged far out
upon the plain. Somehow Brewster felt
certain that now at last he was actually
within pistol shot of the ambulance. |
within speaking distance, almost. of the
girl he so fondly loved, whose very life
at this instant depended not only on his |
courage, but also on his Judgment. One
false move would ruin all.
So long as the Indians kept up their
powwow at the bend, so long was Wini-
fred safe. The longer they delayed the
nearer would it bring Murphy and the
men from the main crossing three miles
away up stream. Then, six to six, he
could laugh at the Sioux. But any one
who knew Indians at all knew that the
discovery of the mules would only set
them to work to find the snow camp
from which the animals had broken
away. Aye, even as these things flashed
through his mind, Brewster could see
that they were signaling halt to the
herd guard. and that two of the young.
sters were lashing their ponies out in
front of the band and gradually bring.
ing il TO a standstill. Almost at the same
too, those in consultation sepa.
rated, three riding swiftly after the
herd. while the other three, slowly and
cautiously, began to advance toward the
hollow whence the mules had emerged.
they expected to find the white
mans wagon there.
Now is your time, men, muttered
Brewster. Quick! of with your side
lines and double them about your horses
fore feet so that they can't even hobble
out Of the drift Keep them here. Take
your lariat and hopple my horse, one of
you. Throw him if need be. I'll watch
those beggars down stream All. |
thought so" he muttered. they've
grabbed the mules and are examining
he harness; that will tell them easily
enough they were cut loose after break
ng the pole. Quick. men throw snow
BY the bushel all over your horses. Roll
u it yourselves. Get all the white on
ron can; then run down the gully as
soon as you have your horses hidden
md watch for my signal. The moment
say go, bend double and scanlper to
he ice yonder. then make for the bluffs.
ri follow instantly"
Meekly the two troop horses. after
having been led to deeper point down
he ceulee, bent their heads and sub
nitted to the lashing together of their
ore feet, but Brewster's BLACK jack
vas of different mold. He would not
-ield.
"Over with him, Morse. No time to
ose now. Lash him tight or he'll break
way" called Brewster And poor
lacks plunging availed him nothing. !
moment more, with dismal groan he
vas ON his side in the soft, cold bed. the
ariat was being dashed and knotted so
hat even furious struggles could not /!
rec him. and then. to add 10 the indig
lity, his erstwhile friends and comrades .
we're heaping new insult and storm of
now upon him. Jack couldn't under 7
tand it.
Ready, men They're Just peeping
ver in the hollow now. The moment 4
hey're fairly in it. give the word"
Twenty-thirty seconds of breathless :
Hence. Then a quick gesture; quick,
Dw toned. but imperative ''Go!'
Go they did, skimming over the pool
bove the rapids. leaping the narrow :,
hasm where the black waters, dancing Y
nd frothing, had defied the ice king;
ucking under the opposite bank: car 9
ines in hand REVIEWERS AT the hin car.