The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-09

Don't ask mo to tell you now."
$50 he 1t, man. Now rest all you
possibly can. It's almost day. The
crags are beginning to light up back.of
us here already. Yes, and the sentry's
calling me now. I'll be back by and
by. What is it, Patterson" he whis-
pered, going to the mouth Of the cave.
1--WE just come down from the tree
mp there, sir. You can see quite ways
down the range now. though the light
is dim, and what take to be signal
fire leaped up not three miles below us,
certainly this side of where Wing was
shot"
$50 soona All right; then get back
to the post just as quick as you can.
I'll rouse the man who has slept long
est. All must be astir in half an hour,
but you keep watch there"
And half an hour later il is that, field
glass in hand, the young officer is there
by Patterson's side, peering eastward
almost into the eye Of the sun, search.
ing with anxiety inexpressible for any
sign of dust cloud rising along the trail
on which they came, for the sight he
in the morning light, has filled his
heart with the first real dread it has yet
known. In three places, not more
than four or five miles apart, down
along the sunlit side of this wild and
picturesque mountain chain, signal
smokes have been putting straight up
skyward, the nearest only couple of
miles from this lone picket post, but
all on the same side of the valley.
Last evening the answer came from
across the broad desert. They have
come over; therefore, and are fastening
up the chain to join the eager advance
hero so close to their hiding place. Be-
yond doubt watchful spies are al
ready lurking among those heights to
the west, striving to get close enough
to peer into the rocky fortress and esti-
mate the strength of the garrison.
Great they well know it cannot be. for
did not their keen eyes count nearly 20
chasing those hated brigands far down
toward Sonora pass, and of that num-
Der how many have returned? Only
three. Did they not see the furry and
excitement when that sergeant was shot
from ambush? Now, therefore, is the
time to strike--now, while the main
body is far away. Whatsoever booty
there may be obtainable in that rocky
canyon 'tis we'll worth the attempt. And
so from north to south the puff balls of
blue white smoke go sailing upward
through the pines, and it all means
speed speed!
At 2 O'Clock the little command has
had coffee and hearty breakfast. No
lack Of provender here in this hitherto
undiscovered robbers roost. Drum
mond, cool, confident, has had his mon
about him where none others could see
or hear, has assigned them the stations
which they are to take the instant of
alarm and has given them their instruc-
tions. Walsh it is who is now on look
out, and he is peering away down south
ward so intently that some comrade is
prompted to call up to him in low
tone:
''See anything?"
To which, without removing tho glass
from under his hat biim. the Irish
trooper merely shakes his head.
ANY more smokes?"
''Sorra smoke have I seen at ALL"
well, then, what in blazcs are you
staring at 20
How can tell We till find out 2" is
the Hibernian reply, and this is enough
to send the corporal on climb. Drum
mond at the moment is again kneeIng
by Wing, who has but just awakened
from iitful sleep, Miss Harvey being
the first to hear him stir and sigh.
Ruth and her sister, too, seem about
TO withdraw. hut Wing. whose voice is
woak now, begs them to remain.
Has anything been seen yet--back
on tho trail--of the Stoneman party Z"
he asks.
"No, sergeant" replies Drummond,
"but remember that we can only see
some six miles of the trail. after that
1t is lost in that tortuous ravine down
which we rode on the chase. Walsh is
up there on lockout, and I'll ask II he
can see anything now," and calling to
one of the men Drummond bids him
inquire. All eagerly await the reply. (
AT last it comes: I
"No dust on the back track, sir, but
something that looks like it far to the
south. We think it may be some of our
fellows coming back, but it is too faint
and far to make it ont yet. y (
The corporal is the speaker, his reso-
nant voice contrasting strongly with the
feeble accents of his immediate supe-
rior, the wounded sergeant.
"Then have something that muet
be told you, lieutenant, something Miss
Harvey already has an inkling Of, for
she has met and known my dear moth
er. If this pain continues to increase,
and fever sets in, may be unable to
tell it later. Some Of the men thought
had enlisted under an alias, lieuten-
/, ant, but they were wrong. Wing is
my rightful name. Ny father was
chief officer of the old Flying Cloud