The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-04

tits from the northeast 1t would be COM
ing"
"Mightn't they have missed tho trail
in the darkness, and having no ranch
lights to oguide them got lost somewhere
out theref'
"Not likely, sir. Shure, there'd DO
squad of the troops and half dozen
old hands with 'em if it was Harvey's.
This has como from the pass, and it
won't be long before they'll DO coming
ahead. You'll need your carbine then.
D-n that man Mullan! Can't wake
him yet?"
Apparently not. Even tho well di-
rected kick only evoked groep. TAX.
ing a couple OF carbines, SesnY returned
to the major, silently handing him one
of the weapons, saying It's loaded, sir,
and here's moro cartridges"
Then again both men listened in
tently.
No sound now. The hainmering ha1
ceased. One, two minutes they wait
ed, then nearer at hand than before,
clear, sharp and distinct, on: from the
darkness came the unmistakGb,e crEc,,
of a whip. At the sound Feeny lnslt.
Click, clickl went the hammer Of his
carbine to full cock. Another moment
of breathless silence. Then the mufiied
sound of hoofs, the creak of wagon
springs, then a voice:
"It can't be far away. Ride ahead
and see if you can't rout somebody
out -
And then Feeny's challenge again
rang out on the still night air, followed
instantly by mufiied sound of stir and
excitement in the ranch behind them.
"Who comes there?"
"Hello! What's that? Who's that? !?
Is that Moreno?"
'Who comes there, say? Halt! or
I'll fre!'
'For Gods sake, don't fire, man!
We've got ladies here"
'What ladies'? Who are you any
howG Quickl"
George Harvey's daughters of Tue
son. I'm his son."
"God be praisedl" shouted Feeny,
springing to his feet and rushing for
ward. "Are they all safe-unharmed?
Where did you overtake them? 2.
"Overtake whom? What in blazes
are you talking about?" queried tall.
slender fellow, bending down from his
saddle. "Who are you?'
Sergeant Feeny of the cavalry, and
here's the major just back Of me-"
major who?"
"Major Plummer-him you was talk
ing with this morning when You came
for help" answered Feeny, his voice
tremulous with excitement. Already
he was beginning to see light.
"Why, I've never seen Major Plum
mer nor any other major today. The
only troops ! met were Sergeant Wing
and his guard at the pass just after
nightfall. Have you met the Apachesl
You saw the signal of course"
"Signal, yes, but devil an Apache.
Tell me now, wasn't it you was here
at Moreno's this morning begging for
troops to go and fetch your ladies Gown
from the CHA? Wasn't it you sent the
note saying they was run off by In
dians?" And as was the case when
ever excited, Feeny's grammar ran to
seed.
mot bit Of it, My sisters are here,
safe and sound. We'd have been here
an hour ago but for slipping tire.
Is father here?"
''Talk to him, major. I'm done up
entirely" was oil poor Feeny could
say, as between relief, rejoicing and the
inestimable comfort of finding he was
right in his theories, after all, he drop
ped his carbine, threw himself upon the
soft, sandy ground and fairly rolled
over and over in his excitement and
emotion.
What wondering eyes, what startled
ears were at the wagon doorway as, in
his ponderous manner, the major en-
deavored to tell of the mornings adven-
ture and the counterfeit presentment Of
the Ned Harvey now before him. Long
before he could finish the thoughtful
son begged an instant's interruption.
"And father has g we on the trail to
the Christobal?"
"Yes, an hour aeo."
"After him, Leonl Ride like the
ueNlis cNcl IL yOu iiiNO W iiuc dii
night. Fetch him back here as quick
as you can. Tell him Fan and Ruth
are safe here at Moreno's."
In 10 minutes tho Concord wagon,
with its fair freight, now trembling and
excited, was standing side by SIDE with
the paymaster's ambulance. The weary
mules were unhitched and with the sad
die horses led in to water. The major
and the sergeant, prompting each 9TH
er, went on with their recital, Harvey
listening with attentive ear.
sit is one of the most perfect plants
they ever put up" he burst in, grind
ing his teeth in wrath. "Of course
they knew of fathers movements and
of mine. They know everything. They
knew we were to meet here probably.
They felt assured you knew nothing OF
il at all. They have used our supposed
peril to draw away your guard. They
have succeeded even better than thoy