The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-02
CHAPTER XXI.


furious storm that swept the hills and
swelled the rivers was the talk Of ev-
cry army post within 200 miles, while
in the gambling hells and saloons of
Laramie, Cheyenne and Gate City men
spoke of it in low tones and with bated
breath. If ever the bolts of heaven
were launched to defeat a foul crime
1t was right there at Canon Springs,
for the story was all over Wyoming
by this time how the worst gang Of
cutthroatS that ever infested the wide
West had galloped in strong force to
that wild, sequestcred nook to murder
Dean and his whole party of the hated
''blue bellies" If need be, but at all
hazards to get the precious package in
his charge. Fifty thousand dollars in
government greenbaclls it contained if
Hank Birdsall their chosen leader,
could be believed, and hitherto he had
never led them astray. He swore that
he had the straight tip and that
every man who took honest part in the
fight, that was sure to ensue, should
have his square one thousand dollars.
Thirty to ten, surrounding the soldiers
along the bluffs on every side, they
counted on easy victory. But the
warning thunder had been enough for
the young troop leader, and prompted
him to break camp and get out Of the
gorge. They were starting when Bird
sails scouts peered over the bank, and
the outlaw ordered instant pursuit,
just in time to meet the fury OF the
Hood and to see some of his fellows
drowned like rats in a sewer.
But who betrayed the secret? What
oIncer or government employee revealed
the TACT that Dean was gong with SO
much treasure? And what could have
Deen his object? Birdsall had taken to
the mountains and was beyond pursuit.
Shorty" one Of his men, rescued f.om
browning by the mail carrier and eS-
cort coming down from Frayne, con-
fessed the plot and the general was now
at Emory investigating. Maj. Burleigh
mad taken to his bed. Capt NeWhau
was reported gone to Denver. Old John
Folsom lay with bdndaged head and
blinded eyes in a darkened room, as
s1diously nursed by Pappoose and Jes-
Sic, who, IN turn, were deVotedly at
tended by Mrs. Fletcher. Possessed Of
some strange nervous excitement, this
energetic woman was tireless in her eff
Tort 10 be OF Use. Minus ten OF their
very DeSl, y troop still camped at
Emory, the general holding it for posi-
pie escort duty, and, to mis- huge de-
light, young LoOmis was assigned to
command ii until Dean should return.
1here came a day when the news ar
rived from Frayne that the Laramie
column had crossed the Platte and
marched on for the Big Horn, and then
John Folsom began to mend and was
allowed to sit up, and told the doctor he
m Mni oi~l,
delay, but Burleigh could not leave his
bed, said the physician in attendance
very different practitioner from Fol-
som sand the old man began to fret
and fume, and asked for writing mate
rails. He wrote Burleigh a note, and
the doctor forbade his patients reading
anything. Maj. Burleigh, said he was
very sick man, and in a wretchedly
nervous condition. Serious consequences
were feared unless utter quiet could be
assured.
Then FOLSOM was pronounced well
enough to be taken out for a drive, and
he and Pappoose had the back seat to-
gether, while Jessie, with Harry Loom
is to drive. sat in front, and Jess was
shy and happy, for LOOMS had plainly
lest his heart to his comrades pretty
sister. Marshall had now been gone
nine days and could soon be expected
home. said everybody, for with a big
force going up there the Indians would
scatter and the boys" would have no
trouble coming back. And so this love-
ly summer afternoon every one seemed
bright and joyous at the fort, listening
to the band and wondering, some of the
party, at least. how much longer it
would be before they could hope to hear
from the absent, when there arose sud-
den sounds of suppressed emotion in
the camp of &c" troop. A courier was
coming like mad on the road from
Frayne-a courier whose painting horse
refined I'D a minute, with heaving
TANKS. in the midst Of the thronging
men, and all the troop turned white
and still at the news the rider briefly
told:-three companies at Warrior Gap
were massacred by the Sioux, ITO men
in all, including Sergeant Bruce and all
CO. troops men but Conroy and Gar
ret, who had cut their way through
with Lieut.. Dean and were safe inside
the stockade, though painfully wound
ed. This appalling story the girls heard
with faces blanched with horror Pas
sionate weeping came to JesSie's relief,
but Pappoose shed never tear. The
courier's dispatches were taken in to
the colonel, and Folsom, trembling
with mingled weakness and excitement,
followed.
1t was an impressive scene as the old SOL
der read the sad details to the rapidly
was Emorys garrison now, while the official
reports were hurried on to catch the general
on his way to Cheyenne. Some one warned
the band leader and the musicians marched
away to quarters. Some one bore the news
to town. where the flags over the hotel and
the one newspaper office were at once lowered
to half staff, although that at Emory, true
to official etiquette and tradition, remained
until further orders at the peak, despite the
fact that two Of the annihilated companies
were from that very post. Some bore the
news to Burleigh's quarters at the depot and
despite assertions that the major could see
ed, disturbed and agitated he was
beyond peradventure. Excitedly the sick man
sprang from his bed at the tidings of the
massacre and began penning letter. Then
and told him he had determined to get I'D
at once, as now every energy of the govern
ment would doubtless be put forth to bring
the Sioux to terms. It was tho young clerk
who few weeks back had remarked to a
fellow employee how ratified" the old man
was getting. The majors doctor was not
about The major began debating letters to
various officials as he rapidly dressed. and
what happened can best be told In the clerks
own words: For a man too sick to see any
one two hours before" said he, the major
had wonderful recuperative powers, but they
didn't last. He in the midst of q letter
to the chief quartermastsr and had got as
far as to say, The deplorable and tragic fate
OF Lieut.. Dean points, of course to the loss
of the large sum !ntrusted to him., when
looked up and said, why, Lieut.. Dean amt
dead. major; he got in all right" and he
stared at me minute. as II l had stabbed
him. His face turned yellow-white and down
he went like log-had At, s'pose Then
ran for help. and then the doctor came and
hustled everybody OUT
But not till late that night did these details
reach "Old Pecksniff" at the post. solemn
time was that veteran having. for many of
were in deep distress. Two OF their number