Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-30

troop moved slowly up the darf valley.
along the SHOW covered fats, out beyond
the point where the delegation was met
at dusk and held at bay, and. though
the stars were elintiIg in the frosty sky
and not 4 breath OF air was stirring
and the night was still as solitude it.
self, not a whisper could be heard from
the direction of the village. not a spark
OF fire could be seen. Over against them
on the northern shore were sounds al
times as Of rapid hcof beats muf.led by
the snow. Half a mile out "A horSeman
doomed up AT the front ana in moment
was merged in the advancing line.
What is il. sergeant: VIVA. news
have you:" asked the young platoon
commander,
They're off. sir! A whole gang Of
old folks and women on ponies and
travois has started across the Platte
The warriors are all there get. You'll
hear Big Road shouting in "A minute
He's lighting full and is urging on some
deviltrr. | cant make out what. but
from AL we can understand Of IL he
wants 10 lead a rush through the stables
10 capture or kill the horses. He's just
drunk enough To try, but the Others
won't let him. They declare they won't
follow him. They know too much.
what they want To do is TO get ont and
reach Trooper cycek tonight, reckon "
Ride back then. and let the captain
know. Who else are out at the front on
watch:''
Only Rorke and two or three Of the
Indian troop. sir. They are taking care
of themselves. though"
And then for a moment the forward
movement ceased. Halt, haiti" were
the low toned orders Of the noncommis-
stoned officers dispersed along the line.
and under the twinkling stars. dim,
Shostly and silent. the extended rank of
riders seemed rs one man to rein in and
wait. Here and there an impatient
charger began to paw the Snow. and
others shifted suspiciously and cooked
their pointed ears in the direction Of the
unseen village. Some young troopers.
tremulous with excitement and cold
combined. began 20 slap their fur gloved
hands on breast or thigh and had to be
sternly called 10 order. Presently q
mntfled horseman came riding up from
| the rear. trumpeter i'll his tracks.
That right. Martin You did well
to Colonel Fenton. He had wired to the
agency before We pulled OUT
Can't we turn EN- back without his
authority. sir:''
No. even when we know they mean
TO cross the Platte. But orders will
come tonight. The wires are working
well. "
Captain. did you hear what Captain
Amory said this evening"" asked the
youngater as he edged in closer TO the
elders side. that Ormsby never came
out here that we didn have a shindy
with the Sioux
YES, but poor Jack is out of the
dance this time and can't be with US
as he was before.
Il don't understand" said Martin,
nay ii!S some vague theory that the i'll.
ness Of Miss Fa,rar was at the bottom
of OrmSbv's inability to take part III
the promised chase. II didn't suppose
anything could keep him from taking a
hand i'll soldier SERVICE
We'll. that's just it. Those fellows
in the Seventh are as purctilious on
point Of duty as any man we know in
the army. Ormsby promised to be back
with his company for some review or
ceremony within this week He's got
to go. They We t2lcgraphed TO remind
him. and he has just time. barring &C
cident. to make the trip