The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-01-01

SOL IL was one OF CnOSe temporary
separations mothers elsewhere mar
veled at and declared impossible, but
that army mothers wept over, yet
bowed to. Night and day for forty
eight hours while she prayed for them
within sound of the Pacific surges,
father and son whirled rapidly east
ward, across the turpid Colorado, rest
ing only an hour at Ehrenberg where
they changed blackboard, mules and
driver, then on again by starlight,
gradually rising from bil1ow to billow
of the long leagues of desolation to the
wild and picturesque scenery of the
sierras, then through resinous forests
of pine, through rocky canyon and
winding gorge, until they were landed,
stiff and sore, dusty, hungry and
thirsty, among the log huts of the little
garrison at old Fort Whipple, catching
the department commander just two
days before even that impatient soldier
thought it possible.
Then, after refreshing bath and
few hours rest in the generals own big
troopers, away they went for the valley
Of the Sandy Everything indicated,
said the chief, that the Indians, after
wiping out the Santa Anita settlements,
had swooped upon the lower valley
while the garrison at Retribution was
in it's state of transition, and very prob
ably they had made it lively for Thorn
ton Couriers had rushed to Col. Pei
ham at Camp Sandy with orders to send
strong columns southwark at once, one
of them following the valley to meet
the general at the fords just above
Apache canyon.
Away sped their strong six-mule team
down through the fertile Hassayampa,
across to the broad valley of Willow
creek, changing mules and escort at the
mountain ranch and getting all man
ner of startling news and rumors on the
way. Away at last for the Sandy, pass
ing early in the afternoon, while Ran
iy was doing in his corner, the foam
covered, dust-begrimed pair, Muncey
and Cardoza-''too badly stampeded to
stop and talk" said the sergeant com
tnanding the escort, but shouting that
they alone had escaped"
''We should reach Retribution by
midnight" said the general. And
just won't hunt up Leon and wake
him and hug him the moment l get
there, and won't he be amazed?" said
Randall, joyfully.
The story of the boys long tramp
home was familiar to one and all by
this time and had won the little fellow
host of friends among officers and
soldiers alike. mo one can believe
what that fellow Muncey says, though
have reason to think the Apaches
have reached the Sandy" said the gen.
eral. And so on they went, rattling
and humping and jolting down the
winding road to the east of the range,
and at last pulled up in the midst of
Turner's troop at nightfall; and then
for the first time did Randall realize
that his friend and playmate was gone,
and no one could say how or where.
Tired and drowsy as he had been
during the long, hot day, tired as all
might well be, there was no thought of
weariness now. In breathless interest
the little party listened to Maj Thorn
tons description of the events of the
previous night, Randall's heart throb-
bing hard as he heard of Icons brave
ride for Mrs. Downey's sake, and his
tears raining afresh as Thornton told
how they had found the pony, after
1aybreak, pierced with Apache arrows,
near the butte. Had they searched
the butte itself?" asked The general
Every crev'ce of it, SIR" replied
Sergt. Charlton, who had found the
pony "There was no trace of him
there"
Indeed. there was no place there
where he could hide" said Randall,
sadly. 1--WE had hunted and played
scout all over tall over the neigh
borhood, in fact. The only places we
had to hide were in the old canyon it.
self, because we believed there the In
1ians wouldn't come"
And you had some hiding place in
there?" asked the general, placing his
sun burned hand on Randalls shoulder
and looking kindly down into the boys
brimming blue eyes,
"Yes, sir; three or four of them. We
had two down under the cliffs near the
south end and another up by the cove,
where old Sanchez camped-near where
tney were WnGu Cne clOuQUuFSI SLrucK
them. We were up there twice only
ten weeks ago." and again Randy's lips
were quivering, though he fought man
fully to hide his grief. I'VE had a
regular little cache of stores there
hardtack and cheese and frijoles-in
case we ever had to hide there when
we were hunting"
You'll make a good frontiersman
one of these days. Randall" said the
bearded chief, calmly glancing at his
watch. ~ wouldn't be surprised if you
and Leon could teach us thing or two
worth knowing now Now, Cullen, I've
got TO push right on for Retribution-
the new post. Well pick up Tanners
people on the way and take few of
Turner's men from here Thornton
and Turner can go with me, and you
and Randy take their horses and a
dozen men and search the canyon to-
night, It's my belief that your little
protege has given both crowds the slip,
and that if he is in the land of the liv-
ing Randy can find himl"
no BE CONTINUED