People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-12-12

you, lad, but 'tisnt likely the Indians
are anywhere along the road between
two parties OF troops. l don't think
they'd risk that. At all events we'd
probably have known it before if 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 wait
ing. Then come over to my house and
have some coffee before you start"
1t was just 1:SO by the guard house
clock when once again the young
courier mounted his wiry pony, and
started for the ten-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. 81 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 there?"
"Well, his ponys 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 a 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 a tour Of the
sentry posts, was standing on the walk
and saying some reassuring words,
when the post commander and his party
came along.
81 feel dreadful nervous about that
boy, major" said she. "0f course,
1t was all very brave of him to take
such risk for Mrs. Downey's sake, but
when Indians have dared to come with
In mile of us what's to prevent their
being all along that westward road nowP
Couldn't you have sent few men2"
Gould, perhaps" saA the major,
with an air that betrayed Just q little
how much he resented it that any of
the ladies should question his judg-
ment, "but there are two reasons why
] didnt-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, indeed, those Mexicans
weren't shooting at spooka We have
only their word for 1t, you know. that
there were'any Tontos at all"
'They ran of two mules, interposed
Mrs. Foster, impesuously.
"Wait a moment The Mexicans say
they did, but I've known these greasers
10 lie like Ananias already, and we've
only been here s>iew weeks. Even II
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 10 the west Of the
road, as their owners did 70 the east?'
"But Capt. Foster wouldn't chase
spooks 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 out ofthe idea.
Capt. Foster" replied the major,
Mnows as well as we do from official
reports that the Indians have raided
the mines and the Prescott road, and
be Is gone on. like the good soldier he
T." added be, automatically, ITO warn
or rescue these other parties, Il they
really exist, and stir up the Indians Il
they get in his way. South Of that cur
tain Of mountains he continued, point
ing to the black mass Of the sooorro
"snd behind your husbands skirmish
line we are free from danger. West Of
this post, which guards the descent tc
the Sandy valley, no Indian is going tc
be fool enough to venture unless he's
doubly Tonic, which, I'm told, mean.
mad. Now my advice to the wife Of my
good friend, Capt. Foster, is that she
60 to bed and sleep. That's what
mean to do"
But, major" persisted MIS-. Foster
suppose Leon should be cut off by
by anybody. He told me you said hi
Mexican uncle was again here trying
to get him. Suppose he shouldn't reach
the old post by three o'clock or later
how would you known"
"Ah, thought Of all that. ] tol(
him to start fire under what's left o
that old stack of condemned hay tn,
moment he got in. The sentries GU;
here on Three and Four have already
received orders to watch for fire al
the old post. If they don't see It bt
half-past three at the latest, we'll start
a party in search. But that fre'll be
there all right. Good night, Mrs. Eos
ter-now don't worry"
} But Mrs Foster did worry. She wor
} ried about Leon-exposed, as she be
; lieved, to danger from two sources
She worried about her husband, ever
though her native common sense told
her It was not likely 81. strong com