The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-21
5Ws-there Moreno's California

sorrows-there Moreno's California
blackboard, pressed into service and be-
ing used to carry the wounded, drawn
by the extra mules, and then-God Of
heaven! what a sight for brothers. eyes
to see and make no sign!-then one big
brute lifted from the ground and hand
ed up to a fellow already ensconced
within the covered wagon the senseless,
perhaps l~ifeless, form Of pretty little
Ruth, his fathers idol. The poor child
lay unresisting in the rufhan's arms,
but not so Paquita. It took two men,
strong and burly, to lift and force her
into the dark interior, and one Of these,
to the uttermost detail Of his equip
ment, was to all appearance a trooper
Of the United States cavalry.
There stood his painting horse with
hanging head and jaded withers, the
very steed whose rush they had well
coined with such exceeding JOY, sad
died, bridled, hanketed, saddlebagged,
lariated, side lined, every item complete
and exactly as issued by the ordnance
department. The trooper himself wore
the field uniform of the cavalry-the
dark blue blouse, crossed by the black
'carbine sling, whose big brass buckle
Ned could even now see cleaning be-
tween the broad shoulders and gath
cred at the waist by the old fashioned
''thimble belt'' the troop saddlers used
to make for field service before the
woven girdle was devised. Even
more. Harvey in his misery remem-
bered the thrill Of joy with which he
had noted, as the splendid rider refined
in and threw himself from the saddle,
the crossed sabers, the troop letter &c"
and the regimental number cleaning
at the front Of his campaign hat.
Who-who could this be, wearing the
honorable garb Of a soldier of the United
States, yet figuring as a ringleader in a
band ef robbers and assassins now add
ing rapine to their calendar Of crime?
Edward Harvey's heart almost burst
with helpless rage and wretchedness
when he saw his precious sisters
dragged within the canvas shelter-saw
the tall, uniformed brigand leap lightly
after them and heard him shout to the
ready driver, Now, off with you"
Crack! went the whip as the men
sprang from the heads Of the frantic
mules, and with a bound that nearly
wrenched the trace hooks from the stout
whippletree the Concord went spin
ming wei the sands to the south, whirl-
ing so near him that Over the thud Of
hoofs and whirl of wheels and creak of
spring and woodwork he could hear
poor Fanny's despairing cry-the last
sound he was aware of for hours, for
now in dead earnest Harvey swoonea
away.
Half an hour later, the rafters Of the
ranch having by this time tumbled in
and turned the interior into a glowing
furnace, there came riding from the
west a slender skirmish line Of horse
men in the worn campaign dress of the
regular cavalry. With the advance
there were not more than six or eight,
a tall, slender lieutenant leading them
on and signaling his instructions.
With carbines advanced, with eyes
peering out from under the jagged hat
brims, the veteran troopers came Looping
into the light of the flames, ~e1pectant
every instant Of hearing the crack Of
outlaws rifle or perhaps the hiss of
feathered arrow Of unseen foe. Though
some Of the steeds looked hot and wea-
ried, the big rawboned sorrel that car
ried the young commander tugged at
his bit and bounded impatiently as
though eager for the signal-''charge."
Straight into the circle Of light, straight
to the southern entrance, now a gate Of
flame, the soldier rode and loudly
hailed "Moreno!"
But Kissing, swapping woodwork
alone replied. Guided by an expert
enced sergeant, some Of the troopers,
neve hating, rode on into the east
ward darkness, and there were sta
toned as vedettes to guard against sur
prise. Returning to where he had passed
his lieutenant, the sergeant dismounted,
allowing his weary horse to stand, and
then began q minute examination. Fol-