The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-12-19

szsSs &c. -
"wHAT ON EARTH BROUGHT You HERE?"
all came up to the post at dark, said
they didn'tdare stay--the Apaches
surely coming into the valley, and they
got word somehow they were every
( where along the north face of the Soccer
70, and Sergt. Kelly sent the girls in to
the post from his ranch, but Mrs Kelly
wouldn't leave him. She stayed there.
/ There's really no place around the old
! post for women, bat they've got them
/ into a tent for the night. They darent
remain at the farmhouse up by the
canyon, and the lieutenant couldn't de-
tach any men as guard-he needs them
all at the post. Mrs Downey was in
such pain that we were all worried
about her, SO l borrowed the pony,
without saying anything to Sergt
Kelly, and came up to get some medi-
cine"
"Well, great Scott, boy! That's taxi
ing tall chances" said the major.
Didn't you see or hear anybody"
"A fellow passed me, riding like mad,
about five or six miles out, sir. heard
him coming and slipped off the road a
few yards, not knowing who it might
be, and then, just few minutes ago,
l was halted by three cits-said they
were looking for horse thief, but !
wasn't the one they were in search of.
Meantime the doctor had taken
Downey's note and was trying by the
light of the guard lantern to decipher
the i'll written scrawl. "She has had
the same trouble before" said he, ''and
| can give her the medicine she needs,
Leon; but you oughtn't to risk going
back tonight"
"Oh, I've simply got to go, DOCTOR
said the boy, eagerly. Mrs. Downey
has always been mighty kind to Randy
and me. She always gave us lunch at
her ranch when we were down there
fishing, and l told her I'd fetch the
medicine before daybrcak or get
nabbed trying. Why, the Indians them
selves don't know the country around
here better than Randy and I do,
though I've never been out this far at
night"
: Tie ma jor, too, interposed an objec-
ton. 81 feel that we are responsible
for you, Leon, until Maj Cullen gets
back and claims you. 1t isn't Apaches
only to be avoided. They tell me your
Uncle Manuel is here again, and the
man you met riding full tilt was your
fathers old partncr-Munccy going to
meet Manuel, 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 pco
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 al
the same 1 promised Mrs, Downcy 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 grcat
pain, the major reluctantly assented
I'D send a couple of men back with
you, lad, but 'tisn't likely the Indian.
arc anywhere along the road between
two parties of troops. | don't thinl
they'd risk that. At all events wee
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 anC
have some coffee before you start"
. Il was just 1:3O by the guard hous,
clock when once again the youa,
courier mounted his wiry pony, an,
. started for the ten-mile ride back. HI
went Looping away down the starli
. road the vial wrapped in his saddlebag
: after hurried good-by, his black eye
cleaning, his white teeth firmly set.
Good grit, that boy" said the major
looking after him. II wouldn't min,
having him for my own" Aet
, Good grit, indeed!n said Raymond
Most boys know would rather d
anything than risk that, ride in tn
! dark in the midst of an ldian scare
, What time ought he to get therc?"
"Well, his pony's fresh and speedy
by three or three-fftecn at. latest. No,
it's time to hear from Fost r."
They were walking slowly back t
$ the porch of his unfinished quarters a
they talked-he, his adjutant and hi
' special friend, Capt. Raymond. Quis
9 had settled down on the post. Wearie
T with watching almost Everybody ha
: gone to get such sleep as was possible
4 but the guard and few officers sti
remained wide awake. Mrs Foster
/. unable to control her anxiety, was sti
restlessly pacing the veranda or rocl
!. ing in her big chair, and the officer {
the day, returning from tccr of tn
/ sentry nosts was Sfo ndsrr ~, tho W., I