The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-11

Anything to be seen across the val
ley along the trail we Gamer"
Nothing, sir; not a puff Of dust.
But here's something I don't under
stand-of here in the range south Of us
well up toward tbs top"
What's that?" asked Wing, drop
ping the coil of lariat he held in his
hand and looking quickly up.
well, it's more like signal smoke
than anything else. Just exactly such
smoke as we have e in the Chirica-
hua and Catarinas and Well, just
come up here with your feldglass, if
you can, sergeant. I believe there's an
answer to it way down to the southeast
-t'other side of the valley"
In an instant Wing turned. .sSorry
for you, Senior Moreno, "he grimly NUT
tered. "But as only two men T with
me, and both are otherwise engaged, I'll
have to secure you temporarily. It
isn't pleasant, but it serves you right"
Twain the Mexican pleaded and pro-
tested. A rawhide rata was wound
and looped about him in a few scien-
tifc turns, and he was left reclining
against the rock, conquered yet inward
II raging, while Wing stole in to Drum
mond's rude couch, slipped the field
glass from its case, then, with a long
ing look into the darker depths beyond,
and a moments hesitation, he stepped
to the projecting rock that seemed to
divide the cave into two apartments
and called in lower tone, Miss Har-
vey.'
"Here, Mr. Wing. What is wanted?"
And at the instant, prompt, alert,
even smiling, Fanny Harvey appeared
before him. The pal1or was gone. The
disheveled hair had been twisted into
shape. Food, rest, relief from dread
ard misery and that little appreciated
beautiier, fresh water, had wrougs..
their Transformation here. Wings
handsome eyes ghstened as he removed
his hat.
Il have to go upxto that point yonder
a few minutes, leaving old Moreno
alone, bound, to be sure, but his wife
or daughter might slip ont and release
him. Will you have the goodness to
take this and shoot him if they should
make the attempt?'' And he handed
her his pistol.
II see to it that no n in~terferes
with L IN, Nh. Wing. What has hap
pened? Are the Others coming?" And
she took the revolver, balancing it in
her accustomed and practiced hand.
The admiration deepened in Wings
gaze.
Il see you handle a pistol as though
you had used one. Your re a true from
tiersman's daughter. III have to be
away for a few m1uutes. I'm going Up
to look from our rock above there.
Some Of QUE men, they say, are in sight
slowly returning. and the paymaster's
ambulance is only a mile away, proba-
bly, waiting for the rest Of the party.
How is Miss RUTH"
Sleeping like a baby, bless her
heart"
We'll. T have promised Mr. DruE.-
mond that she should be his nurse.
hope you will consent. He is sleeping
too. No fever yet. | am thankful to
say.
Ruth Will be ready, and so will 1.
to help in any way we can. But when
are you to have a rest, may I ask"
"O-oh-by and by. Lee and the
others must have theirs first. They
have been in saddle much longer and
farther than 1. When is Miss Harvey
to have her rest, may ask"
Well, I don't know. I'll say.
perhaps by and by 100. Look. that
man is calling you
Whirlirg about, Wing saw his senti-
mel reckoning. and in a moment he went
clambering up the rocky trail, active
as a mountain Apache.
What is it, Patterson"
1T is signal smoke, sir, acros the
valley. That amt more than eight
miles away. and down here in the range
amt more than six. What Indians
could be oct here, / would like to know:
Do they grow everywhere in this in
fernal country"
Wing took his glasses and long and
earnestly studied the blush white
clouds rising in pufns, faint and barely
distinguishable in the opposite heights,
then fixed his gaze upon the flmy col
umn soaring up among the dark pines
at the heart of the range to the south
ward. His face grew grayer every min
ute.
Stay here and watch, he said. II
must go and get those other men in
with the ambulance. Of course if it is
Apaches, they've sighted that party
and the few men struggling back, and
those signals mean, CLOSE in on them
Eli send the team right in and then ride
and hurry the other fellows out"
The u was retiring behind the
Cababi range as Wing went leaping
down the trail.
"Sorry for you, Dick, CID boy" he
said to his horse, who was browsing in
d HMo,.o uork for ma both