Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-12-16
CHAPTER XVII.


The cultures numbered hundreds.
1t was not coincidence that Captain
Burton's party, when ready to leave the
valley, should head In the same diree
ton as that pursued by the outlaws. II
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.
II 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 des-
perate lot before Taylor joined them,
and you know how he feels toward us.
| believe they have come this way to
ambush US. and from this on we can't
keep our eyes open too wide"
That's true" added Harkins. "Tay-
lsx knew what we were after, and
through him all the others know. !
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 tho hundred I'M
successful expeditions already returning
Disguised from the diggings. They were
given three cheers by the soldiers as they
moved out, and camp had been placed
only few miles behind when vigilant
outlook was maintained for the outlaws.
Three times during the day, when the
party was obliged to pass locations where
q foe could lie in ambush, scouts were
sent ahead to make sure that no trap
had been set for them. Their pace was
not 80 rapid as that Of the outlaws, and
1t 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 itY" asked the captain as all
had closed up
"Look"
lowering over the grove straight
ahead was o cloud Of buzzards What
their presence signified 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"
1.-THE other party has been attacked
and wiped out, fear"
Cant be otherwise. There's certain
to be a 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 q third man were
on the errand, and they
found 1t one to try their nerves. When
they had approached close enough to get
. view of the camp they knew it to be
the camp of the outlaws, for there were
the horses and wagon. The vultures
numbered hundreds, and while a part Of
them were running about on the ground,
others sailed slowly about in short cir
Giles and hesitated to alight
Look at the horsesl" exclaimed Joe.
The animals had been staked out on
ground furnishing scant pasturage at
best. For three days they had had
neither food nor water, and as Joe spoke
they were making tremendous efforts to
break their lariats or pull the iron pins
from the ground.
There are dead men therel' whis-
pered Harkins, with pale face, "but the
buzzards are afraid Of the horses"
The trio moved forward. They were
greeted with whinnies Of welcome from
the suffering horses, but for two or three
they had eyes only for the bodies
of the dead. But for the clothing on
them 1t would have been hard to identify
them as human beings.
There are only four, and neither Of
them is Taylor" said Joe as he rode
around the bodies. There are no ar
rows here, no empty shells, no signs of
a fight with the Indians. Let US ride
through the grove and see if we can
find the key to this mystery"
They scattered and hunted for further
evidence, but they found none. Taylor,
living or dead. could not be traced.
Here's his rife" said Harkins as he
dismounted and picked up gun lying
by itself on the ground.
"And it has not been discharged"
added Joe as he inspected it. "These
dead men are his work. and the fact
that he did not drive away with the
team proves that something happened
him. Let us relieve the horses and then
get these horrible objects out of sight"
When the remainder of the party came
up not an evidence of the tragedy ex-
listed. but the story told them by those
who had drawn the corpses to the river
and floated them off was shocking
enough without the presence of the
dead. The horses had been reduced to
skeletons. and it was full hour before
their thirst was sufficiently satisfied to
permit them to enjoy the fresh green
grass at the other side of the grove.
The next surprise came when one of
the men investigated the contents Of
the outlaws wagon and found the treas
pge which he'd besp yeepopsihle f0g 70