Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-09-19

1athers old partner--Muncey-going to
meet Manuel, l Judge, somewhere on the
old Tonic trail through the Socorro"
Then, indeed, Leon looked very
grave. I'm more afraid of them than
am Of Apaches," he said. They don't
mean to take me back to mothers PEG.
pie, shouldn't want to go II they did,
I'm Yankee, like father, and ! want
to stay here and grow up In the cav
airy. Randy and | are going to enlist
Just as soon as we're eighteen. But all
the same l promised Mrs. Downey she
should have that medicine before day
and I'm going"
And so, seeing how earnest the boy
was, and recognizing from his descrip-
ton that Mrs, Downey must be In great
pain, the major reluctantly assented.
'I'd send couple Of men back with
you, lad, but tisn't likely the Indians
are anywhere along the road between
two parties Of troops. don't think
they'd risk that. At all events we'd
probably have known 1t before II they
were. We are all up here yet waiting
further news from Capt Foster Mrs.
Foster Is out there on her piazza now,
SO you might see her while you're watt
ing. Then come over to my house and
have some coffee before you start"
1t was just 1880 by the guard house
clock when once again the young
courier mounted his wiry pony, and
started for the tcn-mlle ride back. He
went Looping away down the starlit
road the vial wrapped in his saddlebag,
after hurried good-by, his black eyes
cleaning, his white teeth firmly set.
Good grit, that boy, said the major,
looking after him. II wouldn't mind
having him for my own"
Good grit, indeed" said Raymond.
"Most boys l know would rather do
anything than risk that ride In the
dark in the midst Of an Indian scare.
What time ought he to get there2"
well, his pony's fresh and speedy
by three or three-ffteen at latest. Now
It's time to hear from Foster
They were walking slowly back to
the porch Of his unfinished quarters as
they talked-he, his adjutant and his
special friend, Capt. Raymond. Quiet
had settled down on the post. Wearied
with watching almost everybody had
gone to get such sleep as was possible,
but the guard and few officers still
remained wide awake. Mrs. Foster,
unable to control her anxiety, was still
restlessly pacing the veranda or rock
ing in her big chair, and the officer Of
the day, returning from u tour Of the
sentry posts, was standing on the walk
and saying some reassuring words,
when the post commander his party
came along.
II feel dreadful nervous about that
boy, major" said she. "0f course,
1t was all very brave Of him to take
such risk Tor Mrs Downey's sake, but
when Indians have dared to come with
in a mile Of us what's to prevent their
being all along that westward road now?
Couldn't you have sent a few menP"
Gould, perhaps" said the major,
with an air that betrayed just little
how much he resented it that any of
the ladies should question his judg-
ment, ''but there are two reasons why
| dldn't-more than two, In fact In
the first place, the boy had just come
safely in over the road, and that shows
that it Is probably safe for tonight
at least. Even Apaches have to
sleep sometimes, you know. In the
second place, Capt. Foster has driven
ahead Of him any Indians that
might have been out here to the
north ii If, indeed, those Mexicans
weren't shooting at spooks. We have
only their word for it, you know, that
olle't were any lontOs AZ all.
They ran off two mules, interposed
Mrs. Foster, impetuously.
wait a moment. The Mexicans say
they did, bat I've known these greasers
TO lie like Ananias already, and we've
only been here few weeks. Even If |
they had had two mules and boy, what
was to prevent the mules stampeding
into the hills on their own account, and |
hiding in some ravine TO the west Of the
road, as their owners did TO the east?"
= But Capt Foster wouldn't chase
spoohs all night said the lady, rock.
ing rapidly and excitedly now. She
was full Of conviction that the Apaches
were all around them, and there was no
comfort in being argued ont OF the idea
Capt. Foster replied the major,
knows as well as we do from official
reports that the Indians have raided
the mines and the Prescott road, and