Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-03-03

NetdtNo ; t.iat VIII pay US u call DeIOE0
morning. or I'm duffer."
Once again he found the paymaster
YEARLY. anxiously patrolling his self
assumed post ont beyond the westward
wall. The presence of common danger,
the staff officials forgetfulness of self
and his funds in his determination to
aid the wretched women whom he
firmly believed to have been run off by
the Apaches, had won from the sergeant
the tribute of niote respectful demean-
Or, even though he held the story of the
raid to be an out and out lie.
Any signs or sounds yet sir?" he
questioned in muffled tone.
why, l thought-just a moment
ago. heard something like the crack
of whip far out there on the plain. +"
That's mighty strange. sir; no stage
is due coming east until tomorrow
night. ana no stage would dare pull out
on this stretch in face of the warning
there at Picacio."
well, it may have been imagina-
ton. lily nerves are all unused to
this sort of thing. How do you work
this affair when you want to reload,
sergeant? I'm blessed if l understand
1t. ! never carried a revolver before in
my life ,"
Feeny took the glistening, nickel
plated Smith d. Wesson, clicked the
hammer to the safety notch, tested the
cylinder springs. and touching the
lever showed his superior by the feel
rather than sight how the perfect me-
chanism was made to turn on its hinge
and thrust the emptied shells from their
chamber.
The Lord grant we may have no
call 10 shoot tonight, sir. but mis-
doubt the whole situation. That fires
beginning to wear itself out already,
and any minute look to hear the hoof
beats of the Morales gang, surround
ing us here en- every side. If they'll
only hold off till toward morning and
can brace up these two poor devils
they've poisoned, we can stand EN- of
awhile until cur fellows begin to come
back or Lieutenant Drummond hears
of the1gathering.
And do you still believe there are
no Apaches in this business?" asked
the major.
Not out north or west, sir: they're
thick enough ahead in the Santa Maria.
but not to the north, not to the vest
cant believe that. These Morales fell
lows know everything that is going on.
They knew that Just about this time
Ned Harvey was expected along escort
ing his sisters home. They knew you
had never seen him and could easily
be made TO believe the story. Every
thing has been done to hold us back,
first ut Ceralvo's and afterward here,
until they could gather all their gang
in force sufficient tosattack, then
Hist! listen! There's hoofs now. No,
rSt ont there, the other way, from the
Tucson road, east. God grant it's
some Of cur fellows coming back,
Keep watch here, major; III run ont
and challenge. "
Hastily picking mp carbine as lie
passed the door, Feeny ran nimbly ont
across the sandy barren, disappearing
in the darkness to the southeast. Old
Plummer's heart beat like hammer
as he listened for the hail. A moment
more he could hear hoof beats and the
voices of men in low tones; then, low
toned. too, but sharp and stern, Feeny's
challenge rose upon the night:
Who comes tlere:'
Instantly the invisible party halted,
surprised, but with the pro.1ptness born
of frontier experience back came the
answer:
Friends.
Who are you and where FROM"
George Harvey and party from Tue
son, looking for Morenos. Who are
you?"
United States cavalry on escort
duty. How many in your party!"
Only two here. We were delayed
by Apache signs in the Santa Maria.
The rest are some miles behind with
relay mules. Are we near the ranch !?
What that light out to the west?''
Never mind that now Dismount
and come up alone, Mr.. Harvey. must
recognize you first.
Feeny wanted TO gain time. His
brain was whirling. Here was partial
confirmation Of the story told by the
alleged Ned Harvey in the morning.
Here was the father coming with guard
and Rely mules to meet his children
just as their morning visitor declared
he was expected to do. Was it possible
after all that the tale was true-that
the children were there at TIE ella,
making a wide detour around Ceralvo's
and taking the northward route around
that i'll fassred ranch? If so. what
awful tidings had he to break! Stou,
soldier that he was. Feeny felt that he
was trembling from head to foot. Or
through the gloom strobe tall figure,
fearless and confident.
There's no Irishman in all the Mo.
rales gang" laughed the coming man,
land know cavalryman's challenge
when hear it, and SO honor it at once.
Where are you, sentry?''
Here; this way" answered Feeny,
standing erect and peering sharply
through the gloom. I've never me,
you, Mr.. Harvey, but we all know YOU
by reputation. Just tell me your bust
ness and how you happen to be riding
the desert this time of night, and ther
LII tell YOU WHY I ask