Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-17

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Ioomed closer in their path, and still the
snowy expanse showed unbroken, and
Bear, bonding low over his pony's neck
and watching for signs, declared that no
Indians had crossed as yet into the hills
and that the entrance to Elk gulch was
row not more than mile to the north.
And here the hills rolled higher, both
to their front and toward the west, but
Farwell rode on up gradual ascent un-
til the slope began to grow steep, then,
dismounting, led the way afoot, the
whole column rolling out of saddle and
towing its horses in his track.
Up, up they climbed until, breathing
hard now, but pushing relentlessly Oh,
the captain reached the crest, and faint
and dim in the starlight, dotted here
and there with little clumps of spruce
or CEDAR the rolling, billowy surface
lay before him, shrouded in its mantle
Of glstening snow. Leading on until
the whole command had time to reach
the top, he motiohed Will to halt, while
he, with Bear and Sergeant Eremmer,
pushed few yards farther on. The
column took breathing spell and
waited.
Far out to the eastward and below
them an occasional flash as Of rifle or
revolver sparkled through the night,
and the faint report was presently borne
to their listening ears. Big Road was
still barring the way of the column
then, and that meant that all the viii
lage was not yet safely within the grim
walls of the canyon. NOrthward the
snowy slopes rolled higher still, but it
was northwes, ward, among the clumps
of trees, that the leaders had gone. The
steam from tho horses nostrils and from
their heaving fianks rose on the keen
air, and the blood raced and tingled in
+ho veins Of the zen, Not q whisper OF
mountain breeze was astlr, The night
was Us still as the yoiceloss skies Three,
four minutes, with beating hearts,
the little command watched and waited
and drew longer breath, and then dark
shape came jogging back from the front,
and Farwell's voice said, Mount and
come on"
Then came Is minutes trot, winding
snakclike and in long extended column
of twos among the stunted trees, and
then Farwell ordered "Walk;" for more
than once dark form loomed up in their
path, and Bremmer wheeled his horse
about and rode by the captains side,
eagerly explaining in low tone. Will
caught the words: "Right ahead. You
can hear them distinctly, sir, and for
the life of him Will could not quite
control the tlutter of his heart. "Haltl
Dismount and wait hcre!" were the
next orders, almost whispered, and
again Farwell pushed ont into the
'front.' and again the column swung out
of saddle, watched and waited, and
presently the mon began to stamp about
in the snow and thrash their stitfening
fingers.
care we close to 'em now, Masther
Will?" asked old Terry. unrebuked.
"Right ahead, they say, corporal.
But this, remember, is only the women
and children, with a few of the old
men,.
"Ah, it's your fathers son ye are,
sorr-God rest his soul! If it was day
timo yo could almost see from here the
breaks of the Mini Pusa, whore we
struck these Indians three years ago this
cruel winter.
81 know" said Will briefly, "and
if-if it comes to fighting here, Rorke,
remember fathers last order. 1t may DO
harder than ever to tell buck from
squaw in so dim light, but want the
men to heed it,
"Thoy will, sorr, as they would if
the captain himself was at their head,
and, Masthor Will for the love of hivs
Ell, wherever ye have to go this night