Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-02

SpeCJ0u c1r1ZenS or the territory. view of their peril tho paymaster's stolen funds were not to be considered. Jim Drummond hardly gave single thought to the recapture of the safe. So far as he could judge the forces were about equally matched. Some saddle horses led along after the wagons seemed to indicate that their usual rid CTS were perhaps with others of the band, resting in the wagons themselves. Surprise now was out of the question. He would marshal his men behind the low ridge on which he lay, form line, then move forward at the lope. No matter how noiseless might be the ad- vance, or how wcaried or absorbed their quarry, some one in the outlaw gang would surely see them long before they could come within close range. Then he felt sure that portion at least would stampede for the hills, and that he would not have to fight more than 10 or 12. His plan was at all hazards to cut out, recapturo and hold Harvey's wagon-that, first of all; then, if pos sible, the others.
 And now the time had come In eager but suppressed excitement Mein- ecke and the men came trotting up the slope.
 "Halt!" signaled Drummond. Then "Forward into line" and presently the lieutenant stood looking into the sun tanned faces of less than 20 veteran troopers, four sets of fours with two sergeants, dusty and devil may care, with horses jaded, yet sniffing mischief ahead and pricking up their ears in ex- citement. Drummond had been the troop leader in scout after scout and in several lively skirmishes during the year gone by. There was not one of his troopers whom he could not swear by. thought he, but then the recollection of Bland's treachery brought his teeth together with vengeful force. He found his voice trifle tremulous as he spoke, but his wlrds had the brave ring the men had learned to look for. and every one listened with bated breath.
 ''Our works cut out for us here. Not more than mile ahead now is just the worst band of scoundrels in all the west and in their midst George Harvey's daughters. You all know him by reputation. They are in the white topped wagon, and that is the one we must and shall have. Don't charge till I give the word. Don't waste shot. Some of them will scatter. Let them go! What we want is their cap- tives." With that he swung quickly into saddle.
 Ready now? No, don t draw pistol till you re close in on them and no car pines at all this time. All right Now -steady. Keep your alignment. Take the pace, from me. ForwGrd!'
 Up the gentle slope they rode, strain ing their eyes for the first sight of the hunted quarry, opening out instinct lively from the center so that each trooper might have fighting space. No squares of disciplined infantry, no opposing squadrons, no fire flashing lines, were to be met and overthrown by compact and instantaneous shock. It was to be a melee, as each, trooper well knew, ill which, though obedient to the general plan of their leader, the little detachment would be hurled for ward at the signal Charge, " and then
 
 man for himself.
 Il want you four fellows to stick close to me now" said Drummond, turning in his saddle and indicating the desired set with a single gesture. We move straight for the leading wagon. See that you don t fire into it or near it.''
 And these were the last instructions as they reached tho ridge, and a hoarse murmur flew along the eager rank, murmur that, but for Drummond's s raised and restraining hand and Ser geant Lees prompt Steady there; si- lence!' might have burst into a 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 mule teams with dropping heads were tug ging at the traces. Bearded men, some still with coal blackened faces, rode drowsily alongside the creaking wagons. In one of these, the foremost, an arm in blue flannel suddenly thrust aside the hanging canvas curtain, and dark, swarthy face, grooved from ear tip to jaw with jagged scar, appeared at the narrow opening.
 'How much farther have we got to go, Domingo?'
 "Only across this stretch, two-three miles, perhaps
 Well, want to know exactly. The sun is getting blazing hot, and these girls can't t hold out longer. Tell Pas qual I 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 canteen and get some fresher water out of the barrel under the wagon.
 The fellow hailed as Domingo leaned to the right, took the canteen strap and then refined in his foaming broncho.
 Hold your team one minute, Jake, " was the order to the driver, and, noth- ing loath, the mules stopped short ill their tracks. Pasqual's ambulance was few rods behind, and to savo time Domingo dismounted, and placing tho canteen under the spigot drew it full of water, rewarded himself with long pun, AStIIuCu Ao up u tIAo NtltlLI5 nduu above and swung again in the saddle just as the second ambulance closing on the first came also to willing halt, and the lead mules of the blackboard, whereon lay two wounded bandits, at tended by Moreno s womenfolk, bumped their noses against the projecting boot.
 "Some cool water, for Gods sake!" gasped one of the prostrate men, and a comrade Iode to the leading wagon to beg little from Harvey's we'll filled, barrel. One or two men threw theln- selves from the saddle to the sands for brief rest. The dust cloud slowly set tied earthward in their wake. Mules, horses and men blinked sleepily, wear fly. There hung in the heavy air dull, low rumble as of thunder in the farof mountains. There seemed faint