The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-10-25
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springs ana then iise the rocks IN the
heart Of the San Saba pass without a
trooper being the wiser. Forty cavalry
men, as Lawrence knew, would be the
majors escort from the camp on the
Rio San Saba beyond the range. Forty
men disciplined and organized ought
ordinarily to be able to cope with any
band Of outlaws to be found in Texas.
But when, as was now reasonably Ger.
tain, this far famed Friday gang had
received accessions from the troops
themselves aud had welcomed the de-
serters and desperadoes so frequently
sloughed of from the soldier skin Of
Uncle Sam in the days close following
the great war, there was grave reason
for precaution and graver still for anx-
iety. Question as he might, Frazier
could not shake an atom of the original
statement of Fuller's men. Fifty
mounted outlaws, at least count with
a dozen led horses, they had seen
through their fieldglass far over the
| prairie. pushing southeastward from
the direction Of Wild Rose pass of the
1 Apache range straight for the lower
valley through which ran the little
stream that had its source at Crockett
| Springs.
So there were anxious hearts at
Worth, for, while it was felt that
| Brooks would lose no moment and was
we'll on his way at o'clock Of this
bright Sunday morning, he had still
some 60 miles to traverse before he
could get to Crockett, rest and bait his
men and horses, pick up Cramer's troop
there camped and then push ahead for
the San Saba, where he expected Go find
the outlaw gang disposed in ambuscade,
confidently awaiting the coming Of
their prey.
/ Now. Brooks had men enough to
thrash them soundly. but unless he
caught them in the act Of spoliation he
lacked authority. Just as sure as he
pitched into force of armed frontiers
men they would appeal to the courts,
and public sentiment would be dead
against him. He could doubtless push
ahead through the range, careless Of
lurking scouts Of the would be robbers
meet Major Pennywise and his protect
ors and escort them back in safety
That problem presented no great diff
Guilty, but what Frazier wanted and
Brooks wanted and every body presum-
ably wanted was that the outlaws
should be caught in the act and be pun
ished then and there. The question was
how to catch them in the act without
being themselves discovered, and be-
fore the gang had had time to inflict
much damage on the paymaster's party.
There was the rub. ''Why, their first
volley, delivered from ambush, might
kill half the outfit and the paymaster,
too, said Frazier. 'tNo, we dare not
risk it, Brooks. Push through and pull
him through, that's the best we can do
unless, and here came the redeem
| ing clause, "unless on the way you
should light on some unforeseen chance.
Then-use your discretion.
Mounted on the very horse he used to
ride as troop commander, and with the
old familiar horse equipments, Ned
Lawrence left the post at the majors
side. He had slept as only soldiers can,
curled up in the stagecoach, during
the previous afternoon and was in fal
better trim for the long ride in saddle
than Captain Mullane. who with bleary
eyes and muddled head rode solus in
front Of the leading troop. his one lieu
tenant, Mr.. Bralligan, being reported
by DIR. Collabone's assistant as sick in
quarters, which indeed he was, with q
lump the size Of an apple on the side Of
his head, and another, apparently the
heft and density of a FOUNDER cannon
ball, rolling about inside of it. D
troop, jogging easily along at the rea,
OF column, was led by Barclay and
Brayton, both of whom had marked the
absence of the subaltern of the leading
company, and neither of whom was
surprised when ten miles out there came
galloping past them, with touch Of
the hand to his hat brim, the late regi.
mental commissary, Lieutenant Harry
Winn.
"That's good!" said Brayton as be
saw his classmate ride up to the maio,
and report, then fall back and range
himself alongside Mullane. But Bar.
clay was silent
"You think he ought not to have
Gomez" asked Brayton. half hesitating.
ly, as he glanced at his silent leader.
Pm thinking more of others-whc
should be here was the answer. "Yet
those two have SO much to leave.' And
Brayton, following the glance Of his
captain S eyes, fully understood.
The morning grew warm as the sun
began to climb above the distant low
lying hills to the east. The dust ,soc1
rose in dense clouds from beneath tn,
: crushing hoofs and, leaving Braytol
with the troop, Barclay cut across thu
chord Of a long arc in the trail ant
reined up alongside the major. Th
command at the moment was movin,
at sharp trot through long, low de
preston in the prairielike surface
Brooks returned the captains punctil
ious salute with CHEEKY nod and cor
dial word Of greeting.
with your permission, sir, will
fall back 100 yards or so, divide tn
troOD into sections and Sn avoid th