Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-10-03
THORNTON TURNED AND RODE HARD TO
THE RANCH


old post long enough to give them
warning, and then had ridden away for
Kelly's, "Just as quick as I've warned
the old man III come back to YOU he
called to Lieut. Crane. who had
thanked him somewhat inadequately
for the service rendered Crane shared
the universal suspicion, perhaps, and
disbelieved Munccy's report on general
principles. Muncey was squirting off
when Crane hailed him: "You must
have met Leon mile or SO out. Didn't
you turn him back?' And Muncey
whirled around in saddle, evidently
astonished and for moment confused.
Leon Never saw nothin' of him
or anybody" he muttered. Never
knew he was back here-at least-cr-
didn't know it until heard rumor
OF 1t tonight" Evidently it wouldn't
do for Mr.. Muncey to tell that lie, as it
would soon be known how they had
been talking but a few hours before Of
Icons return. How'd you come to let
him go'" he queried, turning about
again and apparently forgetting his
urgent mission to Kellys.
well, he never stopped to ask me-"
said Mr.. Crane, which was very true
"But can't understand how you
missed each other II you kept the road.
However, 60 ahead and warn Kelly,
and then come back here and we'll
talk about Leon"
And Muncey had gone on to Kellys,
but that was the last seen Of him, de.
spite the fact that he gave Kelly To
understand that he must hurry over to
Crane again at once Ferguson and
his friends came galloping in to old
Retribution and stirring up the guard,
and they could tell Of Icons safe
arrival within easy range Of the new
post, and Of their warning him to stay
there, but they, too, had pushed on
over to Relly's, and thence, soothing at
Kellys story Of Muncey's return to the
outpost, and telling him the man was
. liar, which Kelly already knew, and
horse thief, which he more than sus-
pected, they had ridden straight back
past the lower gate Of the canyon and
made for the trail to Ration Springs.
Whether they had met or had escaped
the Indians no one could tell. The
fate Of Muncey and his pursuers be-
came for the time being a secondary
consideration. Thornton's first effort
was to ascertain what had become Of
Leon.
With any luck at oil the boy should
have got back to the old post by three
or quarter past three in the morning
Crane and bis little guard, Mrs. Downey
and her sympathizing friends, how
ever, had reasoned that be would not
be allowed to attempt to return, and SO
had ceased to look for him. Crane con-
veyed to the woman the tidings
brought by Ferguson, for up to that
moment he lad disbelieved Munceys
wild tale. Then, doubling his sentries,
but telling the rest Of his party to lie
down and rest, he coolly sprawled him
self on his blankets and went TO sleep.
The next thing he knew II was nearly
dawn, and the sentries had reused the
guard. Springing to his feet, Crane de-
manded the cause Of the alarm, and
was told there was firing up by Kelly's
ranch. 1t was still dark, though the
eastern sky was beginning to flush as
the little detachment quickly, noiseless-
ly assembled In the starlight in front
Of the old guard house. Two veteran
war soldiers, Tracey and Collins, were {
On post at the time, and both declared
that there had been rapid fusillade-
1t least dozen shots 1t could have
come from nowhere but Kelly's, said
hey, though FROM their stations they