The Redwood gazette., 1896-12-03
All this sad biuto,.,, ,.,aa ,,,,,., .rt,

AL Jn1S sao history was now well
known to Malcolm Leale, and his eyes
were full Of sorrow as he bent them up
on the gentle, yearning woman at the
desk, lost in her study of her firstborn's
face Ellis in turn stood watching him.
She was girl Of 16, yet seemed older
far, because Of the years in which she
had been her mothers companion and
closest friend. Then, as he made no an
swer to her query and seemed plunged
II thought, she turned and stepped
lightly over to the mothers side.
Day dreaming again, Queen Moth.
err" she asked in the half playful way
that was habitual with her. IF you
don't go on with your letter to Will, it
won't be ready for the courier. Captain
Leale tells me they are to send one out
at noon.
''Will they really?" asked Mrs. Far
rar, rousing suddenly. "Why, I had
given up all hopes of hearing from him
this week or Of getting letter to him.
Who is to go, captain? The pass must
be breast deep in snow"
81 think not, Mrs. Farrar There was
very little wind, you know, and the
fall seems to have been very uniform.
Corporal Rorke and couple of my men
are getting ready now The colonel was
only waiting, hoping that there might
be still some news from Red Cloud"
''Why, how can it come? The wires
are down the road hidden and the riv-
er unfordable,'' said Ellis eagerly.
''The last news was bad enough. 1 own
don't want to hear further. -
Over Leale's face graver shadow
fell. 'sThere are Indian riders who
could easily make the Journey" he
said, "Crow Knife, for instance, whom
the colonel sent over with the scouts
five days ago. The fact that he hasn't
returned makes me hopeful that matters
are quieting down." but here he turned
again to the window to level his glass
upon the broad, rolling expanse of white,
stretching in wave after wave to the
bleak horizon.
"God forbid there should be further
trouble,' said Mrs. Farrar slowly, lin
geringly replacing the portrait in its
drawer. 'Surely the general has force
enough there now to keep those Indians
in check" she ventured appealingly.
Leale lowered his binocular again.
''He has, provided the renegades cap
tured on the Cheyenne are not sent back
there. Those people should not be taken
to the agency. They are Minneconjous,
Uncapapas, Brules, turbulent, i'll con-
ditioned lot, who make trouble wher-
ever the others are peaceably disposed.
They should have been disarmed and
dismounted and put under guard at
Fort Robinson until this question is set
tied. What I fear is that Red VOLTS
band is still out and is defying the
agent, and that the revolt will spread
to Kill Eagles village. If they 60 on
the warpath, some Of our best scouts
will be involved. That boy, Grow Knife,
is worth his weight in gold, but his IA
ther and mother would follow Kill
Eagle"
''Do you think-do you think that if
they should revolt we-our command
would have to be ordered out?" asked
Ellis anxiously.
cit might be-, he replied cautiously,
'sbut am hoping that no winter cam
paign is in store for us. Think of a
march over such waste as that" and
he pointed to the snow clad scene before
them. eve couldn't cross the Platte
this side of Laramie either, even if the
stream were fordable. The running ice
would cut the horses from under US"
Out across the parade, clear, yet soft,
as though muffled by the snow, the cav.
airy trumpet began sounding orderly
call. -...
''Rorke and his men will start as
soon as they have had dinner, Mrs. Far.
rar," said Leale, "and I must see the
colonel before they 60. I will send fol
your letters'' He took up the glasses
again for one last survey, Ellis narrow.
ly watching him, while her mother
went on with her writing. For mo.
ment the search seemed barren of result,
as before, but suddenly Leale started,
stepped nearer the window and rivete6
his attention on one spot. Ellis quickly
noted it.
"You see some one?'' she asked.
A brief nod was the only answer.
Then, glass in hand, the captain sudden.
ly turned to side door, let himself out
into another room and thence to the
outer gallery surrounding the house.
Here his view was unobstructed. Two
gentlemen were coming up the pathway
from the adjutant's Office, and a soldier
in immaculate uniform and side arms
following short distance behind indi
= 9 {! LIN