The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-28
ana every ono listened with bated

the west and in their midst George
Harvey's daughters. Iou all know
him by reputation They arc in the
white topped wagon. ana that is tho one
we must and shall have. Don't charge
till l give the word Don't waste Il
shot. Some of them Will scatter. Let
them go! What we want is their cap
tivcs." With that he swung quickly
into saddle.
Ready now? No. don't draw pistol
till you re- close in on them and 10 car
bincs ut all this time AL! right Now
steady. Keep your alignment. Take
the pace from me. Forward"
Up the gentle slope they rode, strain
ing their eyes for the first sight of tho
hunted quarry, opening ont instinct
lively from tho center SO that each
trooper might have fighting space.
No squares of disciplined infantry, no
opposing squadrons, no fro flushing
lines, were to be met and ovcrthrown
by compact and instantaneous shock.
1t was to be II melee, us each trooper
well knew, ill which, though obcdicnt
to the general plan of their leader, tho
little detachment would DO hurled for
ward Mt the signal Charge, and then
1t would DO practically case of - every
man for himself "
II want you four fellows to stick
close to me now" said Drummond,
turning in his saddle and Indicating tho
desired set with n single gesture. 1--WE
move straight for tho leading wagon.
SEQ that you don't fire into it or near
it,
And these wero tho last instructions
as they reached the ridge, and hoarse
murmur flew along the eager rank,
murmur that, but for Drummond's
raised and restraining hand and Ser
geant Lees prompt Steady there; ST
lence.' might have burst into n cheer.
And then the leader shook loose his rein,
and just touching Chester's glossy
flank with the spur bounded forward at
the lope.
Out on the sandy barren, winding
among the cactus plants, the weary mulo
teams with dropping heads wcro tug
ging at the traces. Bearded men, some
still with coal blackcned faces. rode
drowsily alongside the crealting wagons.
In one of these, the foremost, an arm in
blue flannel suddenly thrust aside the
hanging canvas curtain, and II dark,
swarthy face, groovcd from ear tip to
jaw with Jagged scar, appeared mt the
narrow opening.
How much farther have we got to
go. Domingo:'
Only across this stretch, two-threo
miles. pcrhaps'
We'll, want to know exactly. The
sun is getting blazing hot, and these
girls can t hold ont longer Tell Pas
quail say there is more danger of his
killing them With exhaustion than there
Is of their making way with themselves.
Say the little ones about dead now.
Here, take this cantecn and get some
fresher water out of the barrel under
the wagon"
The fellow hailed as Domingo leaned
TO the right. took The cantccn strap and
then refined in his ioaming broncho.
Hold Your team one minute, Jake. "
was the order To the driver. and. moth
ing loath, the mules stopped short iii
their tracks. Pasqral's ambulance was
a few rods behind. and To save time
Domingo dismounted, and placing the
cantccn under the spigot drew it full
OF water. rewarded himself with a long
pull, handed 1T up to the waiting hand
above and swung again in the saddle
just as the second ambulance closing
on the first came also to a willing halt,
and the lead mules of the blackboard,
wherein lay two wounded bandits, at
tended by Moreno womcnfolk, bumped
their noses against the projecting boot
Some cool water, for Gods sakc!"
gaspcd one OF the PROSTATE men, and Il
comradc rode To the leading wagon to
beg little from Harvey's well filled
barrel. One or two men threw them
selves from the saddle to the sands for n
brief rest The dust cloud slowly set
tied carthward in their wake. Mules,
horses and men blinked slccpily, wear
lily. There hung in the heavy air dull.
low rumble as of thunder in the faroff
mountains. There seemed faint
yer and tremor of tho soil. Was
o a distant earthquake?
dddenly a wild yell, Il scream from
eno's blackboard, n half stined shrek
- the white covered wagon. The
in blue leapcd forth and made
dash for the nearest riderless
se. Whips cracked and bit and
In The maddened mules flew at
If collars ana tore away, tho wagons
lAllding after them, and Pasqual Mo-
:, thrusting forth his head to learn
;anse OF all the panic, grabbed the
liver at his belt with one fierce
c..
Iarainp'
20 be continued next Wednesday,
Tram THE JESTER.