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

CHAPTER TX.
Peaceful as was his rest, Drummond
slept only an hour or so. For months
he had lived in the open air, ION the
warpath," said his captain, a veteran
who had won his spurs twice over in
the war Of the rebellion and declared
himself quite ready to take his ease
now and let the youngsters see for
themselves the hollowness Of military
glory. WEAKNESS and physical exnaus-
ton had lent their claims, and despite
bruises and many a. pang, despite the
realization Of the presence of the fair
girls whom his dash and energy had
rescued from robber hands, the young
fellow had dozed away into dreamland.
Why not? The object of his mission
was accomplished. Fanny and Ruth
Harvey were safe. All that was left
for the party to do now was rest in
4uiet until another morn, then it would
be quite possible to start on the return
without waiting for the coming of their
friends. Before sunset his men would
oe reassembled. They could have q
long nights sleep, and with the rising
Of the morrow's sun, conveying their
three wagons and their captured trea-
sures, the l;stle detachment would take
the back track for the Tucson road,
confident Of meeting odd Harvey
and probably a doctor on the way.
He himself, though most in need of
surgical attention when they reached
the caves, had such confidence in the
skill Of Sergeant Wing as to feel tina:
his ann was set as perfectly as could
be done by almost any other practition-
er, and before dropping off to sleep had
quite determined that he would make
the morning march in saddle.
STILL, he could nos sleep for any great
length of time. The instinct of vigi-
lance and the sense of responsibility
would not leave him. In his half
dreaming, half waking state, he once
thought he heard a light football, and
presently as he dozed with eyelids shut
there came a soft touch upon his tenn
pie. Lifting his haad he seized that of
his visitor-Fanny Harvey.
why are you not resting::' be asked.
And where is RUTH"
Ruth is sleeping, as we hoped you
might be. Tired natures sweet re-
storer' is all you need, MI. Drummond,
yet you do not seem to have had more
than u cat nap. Twice 1 have stolen
in here to see you, and then, though L
was fearful Of waking you. you slept
peacefully through it ALL"
We'll I must have slept a couple of
hours anyway, and I slept soundly until
within the last few minutes. Has
none of the men got back yet, Miss
Harvey? Do you know what time it
is: l suppose Wing IS sleeping
''Mr. Wing ought to be sleeping, but
he isn't. The sentry--Patterson think
they call hlm-summoned him up to
the lockout there in the rocks, oh. about
an hour ago, and when the sergeant
came back he mounted his horse and
rode away down the canyon. He said
there was something requiring his at
tention. But you are to drink this
chocolate and lie still
Drummond slowly strove to rise.
He was too anxious. too eryou to re-
main where he was.
And none of them has returned
YETI" he asked. Il cannot understand
that. No, please do not strive to detain
me here. I'm perfectly able to be up
and about, and if Wing is gone it's my
business to look after things
Over among the rocks across the
narrow canyon the first object to meet
his gaze as he arose was Moreno, reclin-
ing there bound and helpless, while at
hand a soldier had thrown himself on
his saddle blanket and was sound asleep.
The plash of the waters in the brook.
dancing and tumbling down the chasm,
made sweet, browsing music for his
ears, a lulling, soothing sound that e1-
planned perhaps the deep slumber OF
his trooper friend.
Il heard Mr.. Wing tell that mar to
lie down and Sleep" said Miss Harvey
as the young officers eyes seemed to
darken with menace at the sight of a
sentry sleeping on guard. Moreno is
securely tied, and both Patterson up
there and I here are now his keepers.
The sonora and her daughter are in the
other cave, forbidden to go near him.