The Washington times., 1894-10-14
Th0 D8ad Mans Ring.
BY EDWARD LIVINGSTON KEYFs.

by EDWARD LIVINGSTON hEYES.
Christmas Dav in Arizona. Not the Arizona
ot to-day, with its railroads, teIegraPhs. and
other modern conyenlences, but the old Terri
tory OF twenty-five years ago, when the near
est railway station lay thousand miles and
more 10 the eastward. and when even Price s
Eire'' was matter OF the fancy. The Arizona
whose copper-colored denizens turned the
roach in which Loring, Haryard's former
Itroke, rode into his hearse: who burnt poor
cushing, brother Of the naval hero. and his
little escort, in one Of Cochise's "hatchways''
IN the Dragon mountains, and VINO sent a
yolley into Jake" Almy's noble breast upon
lie banks OF the San Carlos.
Il is morning and down the narrow trail Of
!he rough mountain that towers in its bar
renness back Of old Fort Reno come in single
Gle moving objects. The sage brush and
mesquit hide from view those that have al
ready gained the valley. but a moment later
The br0nZeG. bearded faces and worn blue
garments. not 10 mention the thimble belts
and carbines, tell us thar it is a scouting
party OF regular cavalry. II is a long serpen-
tine line this command makes, and the fore
most troopers are swinging themselves into
their saddles ia the valley. while as vet we
see the rear and packs picking their way
down the dangerous dehle And dangerous
II Is. Three vacancies had been made in one
troop during the past hour by Indians huri-
ing and rolling rocks and boulders from high
preciplces upon the defenseless men and
beasts that wound along below.
They move out now across the broad valley
the white alkaline dust rising in clouds at
each motion Of the horses feet. for the trail is
an old one and not even the chOlla cactus the
brush, and the mesquit which appear 10 be
the sole products of the valley. encroach upon
the narrow passage which had been traversed
by many good fellow lor the last time for
ever.
Though it is December, vet the tempera-
ture is anywhere from l00to 10 degrees. but.
with the exception Of a very few. these troop
ers are accustomed 10 the climate and no
murmur Of complaint escapes them. On the
contrary. occasional snatches Of border songs
break the monony OF the prod Of the horses
feet, and q good natured Joke, with its de-
serves sequel a hearty laugh. is by no means
a rarity. But as the hours drag by and that
long. rugged range Cf mountains the troop is
approaching seems no nearer. and the water
in the canteens grows warmer and warmer.
even these veterans are conscious OF a sense
CT weariness and dryness, quite the reverse Of
comfortable
Its douJtsuLH there was in the entire
since breaking camp remembered the day and
cOntrasted it with other Christmases in hap
pier lands and amid fairer scenes. and there
was one young subGltern among them who for
the last hour had done little else. He was
new TO the service and il was his maiden
scout: and Lieut.. Clyde, previous to enter
ing upon the duties Of the profession which
he had chosen above all others, had been
much Of a dilettante and something OF a
sybarite: tho roHghness Of the journey and
the honeliness OF his surroundings Jared
upon him. Ii was hard luck that this scout
chanced TO be his first. for it was an unusual
and an unnecessarily severe trial OF both
men and animals
The commanding officer had fair war
record, but he had quite recently been trans
ferrec 10 this cavalry regiment; has lnexpeTi-
enee IN this new line provoked him and his
ambition 10 make a killing" caused him 10
disregard certain details. to lose sight of
many things which should not have escaped
his observation and attention. He had for
hidden the making OF any fires lest the In
dians should see the smoke and learn the
presence Of the troops. Consequently three
DAYS had now elapsed since the men had
tasted coffee or anything warm, save alkali
water. and 1t was we'll understood they We're
not to Divouac until the mo untain range con-
fronting them was Dassed.
But late in the afternoon the ochre-colored
foothills are reached, those mounds that seem
to serve rs a Gordon sanitaire to the larger
bluffs and mountains towering above them.
The jaded, hungry animals looked upon the