The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-12-25
CHAPTER VI.

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Brc,rstcr led his iittle band Of troopers
OF into the night
~Who's there demanded Brewster
from beneath his robes and blankets, as
late that night his name was called.
1T is Holden. Tumble up, man;
want You quick"
MY God, doctor, is Berrien worse?
NO. thank heaven, he's sound asleep.
Sergeant Ellis was brought in by the
guard half an hour ago. He fell ex-
hausted at the lines. We've just brought
him 10 at the hospital tent, and from
what / can make out-he's so weak vet
there's something back there out on
the prairie, an ambulance and women.
ran over for YOU as soon as could, for
yOu probably know him best"
.-pe with YOU in a minute, shouted
Brewster, kicking OFF his moccasins
and struggling into his heavy boots.
Lie still, HaddOck; you're not want
ed" he added. "What time is 1t, Doc:'
Long after eleven-near midnight, l
judge. Come as quick as you can. I'll
20 right i,2ck."
In five minutes, in the diEl light OF the
hospital tent, Brewster was bending over
Ellis prostrate form. Others had pulled
off his heavy boots and were chatting his
half frozen feet. Holden had Just ad-
ministered another dose of brandy, bat
at sight Of Brewster the languid, half
open ewes began TO CLEAN and the mus
cles of the lips to twitch.
''StoOp lower, Brewster; he wants to
speak to you, said Holden. And Brews-
ter inclined his ear almost to the black
mustache.
Then with sudden bound lie was on
his feet again.
What" he cried. "God of heaven.
man! do you mean it" His face vas
ashen in an instant, but his eyes never
quit their questioning gaze. Ellis nodded
vehemently, striving again to speak.
Doctor, do you hear cried Brewster,
in mad dismay "He says Mrs. Berrien
and Winifred are in the ambulance
broken down at Wolf Creek" And
without another word he darted from
the tent
''black troop" were bracing cinch straps,
backing throat latches and loading
blankets ON their astonished steeds. De
spite the bowling of the gale, half the
camp was up and astir, Farquhar among
the first Brewster had his own horse
saddled and was astride before any one
else was fairly dressed, and by this time
Ellis had recovered sufficiently TO speak
and tell his story. The train from the
east came in on time at three, and hs
was amazed to see Mrs. Berrien's face
No one dreamed of her coming. for the
wires were down. The qUartermaster
ran to meet her, and the sergeant him.
self FASTENED TO give her good news of
her husband Nothing would answer,
though, but that she must go TO him at
once.
In vain did Major Sisrrett plead with
her, saying il took FIVE hours to drive
over 20 the cantonment by day and he
feared the evening would be dark and
stormy. Go she would, and the quar-
termaster ordered out his own ambu-
lance and best four mule team, with his
OMn AlANNA anu VI AAlGA OAN-
riders. He gave the ladies hot tea,
loaded in lots OF blankets and robes, ard
they started about half past three, Were
in the teeth of the gale al five o'clock,
il pitch darkness and Off the road al six,
and somewhere about sevsl the mules
became unmanagedble in the blizzard.
whirled short around and snapped OF
4tra ~.afa Ilr- si,Ta A.
was lost, the other was frozen half 10
death and had been drinking whisky
The driver was so stiff he could hardly
move hand or foot. and he and Ellis had
the utmost difficulty in cutting loose
the mules. There WAS every prospect
Of their capsizing the wagon. and they
had to get the ladies out until the beasts
were free. Then he found they were
close 10 Wolf creek. more than half
way, and Ellis determined 10 push on
through the cantonmen: FOR help. first
replacing the ladies in the covered
wagon, wrapping them in furs and
blankets and fastening the curtains.
The hurricane increased. lie and his
horse were both blinded. and at last the
poor brute stumbled, fell into n ravine
and could barely struggle TO his feet
Abandoning his horse, Ellis pushed on
afoot and reached camp he knew not
how. He only remembered hearing
that distant tattoo.
Farquhar never hesitated Brewster
never asked. Holden made him and
each Of his Inen swallowa cup Of steam
-r,sr r..fTsal a,s1 Tho ..n1..ru1
matter of course that Curly was the
very man TO go.
'.You have brandy and blankets in
plenty:- he asked Holden is loading
more into the ambulance. and it follows
at once. OF with you now"
Impatient even of this brief detention,
Brewster led his little band of troopers
of into the night. There was not man
III the Twelfth that wouldn't have faced
worst things than blizzard for old
DerT'ien's sake, and as for this il was but
a bagatelle. ''Ail we've got TO do is scud
before the gale. fellers." sung ont Muir
ply. loyoGsly, as they went cantering
out of camp. and in u second more were
lost to sight and hearing. Then came
N4~ N-NNAN- eAA-A A1NNlC OA Nlt nOS1tAk4l
team. the ambulance, weighted down
with robes and blankets and brace of
heavy troopers. despite which ballast
the light vehicle was well nigh whirled
over by the force Of the gale. And then
Farqnhar and the doctor had time to
turn 20 Ellis and 10 think
They must have got my dispatch
Tuesday night and left by The earliest
train. said Holden. How utterly out
rageons a proceeding. And yet might
have known it Of Mrs Berrien.'
Meantime there had been dismay at
the qnartermaster's depot. Sterrett,
noting the Increasing severity of the
gale at r.ightfall, had begun rpbraiding
himself for having allowed tho ladies to
persist in Che rash attempt He had
done his best to persuade Ms. Berrien