The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-07

turned to the men still seated in sad.
die.
"Dismount where you are, You two.
Reset all four saddles. We mount
again here, sergeant, and we'll take the
gallop as soon as the troop comes up."
Its the only way. believe, sir, {"
answered Lee, his eyes hndling, his
lips quivering with pent up excitement
Most OF them will stampede, reckon.
II We strike them In tho open. But
once they get among the rocks we'd
have no chance at all"
Drummond merely nodded. Field
glasses In hand, he was closely study
ing the receding party. moving now at
ieisurely gait as though assured of
safety. His heart was beating hard; his
blood was bounding in his veins. He
had had some lively brushes with the
Indian foe, but no such scrimmaQe as
this promised to be. Never once had
there been at stake anything to COM
pare with what lay here before his ewes.
sometimes in boyish day dreams he had
pictured to himself adventures of this
Characteristic rescue Of imperiled
beauty from marauding foe. But never
had he thought it possible that it would
be his fortune to stand first i'm the field.
riding to the rescue Of the fair daugh
fers OF one OF the oldest and most re.
spected citizens Of the territory. In
view OF their peril the paymaster's
stolen funds were not to be considered.
Jim Drummond hardly gave single
thought to the recapture of the safe.
30 far as he could Judge the forces
were about equally matched. Some
saddle horses led along after the wagons
seemed to indicate that their usual rid
ers were perhaps with others Of the
band resting in the wagons themselves.
Surprise now was out of the question.
lie would marshal his men behind the
low ridge on which he lay, form line.
then move forward at the lope. No
matter how noiseless might be the adj
vance, or how wearied or absorbed their
quarry, some one in the outlaw gang
would surely sec them long before they
could come within close range. Then
he felt sure that a portion at least
would stampede for the hills, and that
he would not have to fight more than
10 or IL. His plan was at all hazards
to cut out, recapture and hold Harvey's
first of all; then. if pos.
sible, the others.
And now the time had como. Tn
eager but suppressed excitement Mein.
ecke and the men came trotting up the
slope.
Halt' signaled Drnmmond. Then
Forward into line, and presently the
lieutenant stood looking into the sun
faces of less than go veteran
troopers, four sets of fours with two
ergeants, dusty and devil may care.
With horses jaded. yet shifting mischief
head and pricking up their ears in ex-
ftemcnt. Drummond had been tbe
roop leader in scout after scout and in
everal lively skirmishes during the
ear gone by. There was not one of
rs troopers whom he could not swear
y Thought he, but then the recollection
I Bland s trcachery brought his teeth ;
ogether with vengeful force. He 4,
)und his voice a trifle tremulous as he
poke, but his words had the brave {
ng the men had learned to look for
nd every ole listened with bated
reath. ,
Our worl q cut ont for ms here. !
ot more than mile ahead now il
lst the worst band Of scoundrels in all a
10 west and in their midst George I
arvey's daughters. You all know Q
i'm by reputation. They are in the 9
hite topped wagon, and that is the one !
Q must and shall have. Don't charge Z
ii L give the word. Don't waste a a
lot. Some of them will scatter. Let s.
em go! What we want is their can 81
ves." With that he swung quickly o
to saddle. b
Ready now? No, don't draw pistol Il
u you're close in on them and no car W
nes at all this time. All right. Now a
steady. Keep your alignment. Take s.
Q pace from me. Forward!'' ri
UP the gentle slope they rode, strain Il
their eyes for the first sight of the il
nted quarry, opening out instinct. II
ely from the center SO that each pl
'oper might have fighting space. W
} squares of disciplined infantry. no IN
i''''S uO IRE uaSnlnR -
es, were TO be met and overthrown in
compact and instantaneous shock. th
was to be melee, as each trooper
II knew, in which, though obedient M
the general plan of their leader. the fa
10 detachment would be hurled for DIR
I'd at the signal "Charge, /" and then co
would be practically case of 'every EN-
n for himself" to
i want you four fellows to stick ag
SO to me now" said Drummond tn,
ming in his saddle and indicating the oc,
ired set with single gesture. 1--WE ex
We straight for tho leading wagon. no
that you don't fire into it or near ow
gu
md these were the last instructions dol
hey reached the ridge, and a hoarse sci
rmur flew along the eager rank. a des
rmur that, but for Drummond's anc
ed and restraining hand and Ser upC
Mt Lees prompt Steady there; ST. che
ell might have burst into a cheer. ous
a