Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-04-12

Idch man in succession dtsmounted at
the same point.
ing at the same point, and with more
or less elasticity coming on in the foot
steps Of his leader. The faint wan light
of early dawn was rendering neighbor-
ing objects visible ON the sandy plain
behind them, but had not yet penetrat-
ed into the depths of the gorge. Lying
far to the west of the Tucson road, this
was a section of the country unknown
to any OF tho troop, and with every
prospect Of broiling ride across the
desert ahead so soon as the sun was up
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 tho bottom OF the dark rift
was found, and presently, keeping keen
lookout for the reflection of the stars
still lingering overhead, the leading
mon were rewarded, and halted at the
edge of a shining pool of clear though
not very cool water and the horses
thrust their not muzzlcs deep into the
wave. Here, shaded by the broad
l..
Arizona trooper of the old days gencr-
ally affected, a match or two was struck
and the neighEorhood searched for
sign Tie rocks around the tank
were dry; the little drifts of sand blown
down from the oyerhanging height
We're smooth. Whatsoever snlashing
had been done by the horses Of the out.
he oil f.,r
1t to cyapLTate, therefore tho command
could not thus far have gained very
rapidly on the pursued. But Drum
mold felt no encouragement. Up to
this point the way had been smooth and
sufficiently hard to make wheeling an
easy matter. Tho wagons had been
lugged along at brisk trot, the attend
ing cavaliers riding at lively lone.
Now, however, there would be no like
hhood 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. Pasdua!
Morales showed his accustomed shrewd-
ness when he forbade that any one
should try to burst into the safe and
extract the money, for well he knew
that if divided among the men there
would be no longer loadstone to hold
them together, to call for their fiercest
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.
Ile noisclpss signal to mount was
given, and following in the lead of
their Young lieutenant the troopers rode
hlcntly down the winding canyon
Druninond and Sergeant Lee bending
low over their chargers nccl:s to see
that they did not miss the hoof prints
Little hy little the light Of dawn began
f. penetrate the dark depths in which
they were scouting, and trailing became
an easier matter. Presently the ser
Fcant pointed TO the face of the oppo-
site slope, now visible from base to sum
NIT whore an abrupt bend threw il
sgajust The eastern light
y oIder's where the ambulance came
down, sir"
Il SOC, and we can't be far from
where it crossed Trot ahead and take
u look. 1t Patterson go with you. II
yen find chance for short cuts, sig
lal.
Another half hour passed away, and
still the trail led along this strange
rock ribbed groove in the. desert, the