The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-28

no chance for watering their horses
could be thrown away. just as he ex-
pected, Drummond found the descent
becoming more gradual, and in a mo-
ment or two the bottom Of the dark rift
was found, and presently. keeping keen
lookout for the reflection Of the stars
still lingering overhead. the leading
men were rewarded, and halted at the
edge of a shining pool of clear though
not very cool water and the horses
thrust their hot muzzles deep into the
wave. Here, shaded by the broad
brimmed hats of white felt. such as the
Arizona trooper of the old days gener-
ally affected, a match or two was struck
and the neighborhood searched for
sign The rocks around the tank
were dry; the little drifts of sand blown
down from the overhanging height
were smooth. Whatsoever splashing
had been done by the horses of the out
laws there had been abundant time for
it to evaporate, therefore the command
could not thus far have gained very
rapidly on the pursued. But Drum
mond felt no Encouragement. Up to
this point the way had been smooth and
sufficiently hard to make wheeling an
easy matter. The wagons had been
lugged along at brisk trot, the attend
ing cavaliers riding at lively lope.
Now, however, there would be 10 like
ihood Of their making such time. The
ambulance could only go at slow walk
the rest of the way, and the guards must
remain alongside to protect the stolen
funds, not so much from envious out
siders as from one another. Pasqual
Morales showed his accustomed shrewd-
ness when he forbade that any n
should try to burst into the safe and
extract the money, for we'll he knew
that if divided among the men there
would be no longer a loadstone to hold
them together. to call for their fercest
fighting powers if assailed. The instant
the money was scattered the gang would
follow suit and he be left to meet the
cavalry single handed.
The horses of the little detachment
were not long in shaking their thirst.
The noiseless signal to mount was
given, and following in the lead Of
their young lieutenant the troopers rode
silently down the winding canyon,
Drummond and Sergeant Lee bending
low over their chargers necks to see
that they did not miss the hoof prints.
Little by little the light of dawn began
to penetrate the dark depths in which
they we're scouting, and trailing became
an easier matter. Presently the ser
geant pointed to the face of the oppo-
site slope, now visible from base to sum-
nit where an abrupt bend threw it
against the eastern light.
Wonders where the ambulance came
down, sir"
II see, and we can't be far from
where it crossed. Trot ahead and take
a look. Let Patterson go with you. II
you find a chance for short cuts, sig
nal"
Another half hour passed away, and
still the trail led along this strange
rock ribbed groove in the desert, the
dry bed Of some long lost stream.
When first met, it seemed to be cutting
directly across their line Of march, now
it had turned southwark, and for sew
eral miles ahead south or west of south
was its general course. The light was
now broad and clear, though the sun
had not yet peeped across the noun
tam range to their left. The pace was
rapid, D7ummord frequently urging
his men to the trot Or canter. Out to
the front 400 or 500 yards. often lost to
view in the windings of the way, Ser
geant Lee with a single trooper rode in
the advance, but not once had he sig
nailed a discovery worth recording.
Both wagon and hoof tracks here pur-
| sued a ommon road. 1t was evident
that some horsemen had found it neces-
sary to ride alongside. It was evident,
too, that the outlaws were travelling at
full speed. as though anxious to reach
some familiar lair before turning to face
their expected pursuers. Every one in
the gang, from Pasqual down to their
humblest packer, we'll knew that it
could not be long before cavalry in
strong force would come trotting in
chase. The squadron at Stoneman
would surely be on the march by the
coming sunset. AS for c troop, they
had little to fear. Pasqual laughed
with savage glee as he thought how
he had lured them in scattered detach-
ments far up to the ella OF over to the
Christobal. Noneed to fear the coming
of the late escort of the paymaster. By
this time those not dead, drugged or
drunk were worn out with fatigue.
Over the body Of his bandit brother. the
swarthy Ramon, he had fercely rejoiced
that seven to one he had avenged his
death, and Fasqual counted on the fin
gers of his brown and bloody hand the
number of the victims OF the night
Donovan and his fellow trooper killed
on the open plain; the paymaster and
his clerk, Mullan and the other soldier,
dead in their tracks and burned to
ashes by this time, and, best of all,
I