Arizona republican., 1898-04-08
foonttnued From Yestsrday.)


 .God grant it." she cried. God grant fs. But, oh. my friend, we've had dreadful fright! Capt. Grafton's men struck an Apache trail yesterday, and t,ey are following it fast as they can go at this moment.'
 And with that announcement van ieted all thought of further rest for him Bidding the two troopers saddle anything on four legs that could carry them, he sprang forth into the still and radiant night and was astride his mon grei mount in twinkling. In vain Mrs. Hayne came out and pleaded with him; Merriam would listen to nothing nothing but tidings of Florence. It was barely eight o'clock when, fully armed. the little party rode swiftly away un- 9er the northward stars, following an cid trail that led to the upper foothills of the Mescalero. They were not half an hour gone when a sergeant and two men rode in from the west, inquiring for Dr. Gould and Mrs. Hayne. They were three of Grafton's men sent back from the chase to say they were hot on . the trail. There were five Apaches afoot and one shod horse-so the traces soid infallibly. Florence, then, was probably bound prisoner on that horse, and Grafton would recapture her or lose every horse and man in the at- tempt.
 And if that night was one of dread ARd dejection at the ranch, what must t have been to Merriam, reeling and weu-nigh exhausted, yet riding grim Iy, desperately forward through the long hours, searching vainly, vainly un- der the wan moonlight, even along into the pallid dawn, for that little cleft in the foothills Floy had named "Mon Abri." Faint and shimmering the day beams came at last, and then, and not until then, Murdocll, faithful trooper, HOW riding by his lieutenant's side and supporting him with his arm, turned to HIS eomrade, who, dismounted, was striving with the aid of match or two +o study some hoof-prints they had found in the soft surface. Jimmy" he whispered. there's something moving along that ridge yonder-coming this way What is it?"
 And though soft the whisper it saCght poor Randy's drowsy ear, and Be ssrove to straighten up in saddle. What? Where?" he faintly asked.
 Wonder, sir,' not half a mile away. its some of our fellows, or I'm duffer. Tell to 'em Jimmy"
 And obedient to the word Jimmy yelled Over the rolling surface the sol aier's voice went ringing through the dawn, and echo sent it clattering back fpcn the buttes and powders to the west This way, you fellers!-this ~ayr" he cried, and then, mounting. sIappsd spurs to his pony and sputtered EYaJ flown the intervening swale.
 Ten minutes later Randy Merriam was Tying on the ground in a swoon, and George Grafton, with grave, sad face. weIl-nigh as haggard as the lieu tenants. was bending oyer him and striving to force some brandy down his throat Following ''for all they were worth the Apache trail, they had over hauled the supposed marauders not % miles back in the foothilis-a pacific Hunting g-party, provided with the agen- ey pass and safeguard, ard culpab,e only in that they had come too far and had picked up on the plains an Amer ican horse, abandoned at sight of them by some Mexicans who galloped fa- away; and that American horse. minus saddle and bridle, was Flows pretty bay mare, Mignon.
 Then where iii heavens name was sbe2
 It was some minutes before Merriam revived. Then he strove to stagger to his feet. but fell helplessly back Ii wsrs nearly broad daylight, but the sun rgas sill below t,Ie distant Guadaioupe. Gathering his feeble energies, Randy strove to describe the little cove and to Implore Grafton to bear him thither. and was interrupted by an eager sergeant, who said: We passed just such brook, sir, not a mile back Shall 1 take half-a-dozen men and follow it gn27
 Sfes. at once" said Grafton, 'and I'll go, too- Stay here. Randy" Indeed, the caution was net needed, for Merriam Was past moving now. poor fellow, and his head sank helpiessly back upon the soldiers supporting arm. And then they rode away. Grafton and haif-a- dozen of his men, with Mignon, ler weary and reluctant, trailing behind. And meantime the troop d;smounted and set about making coffee, while one orderly rode back or the trail to sum- mon Dr. Gould, jogging wearily mile behind. And presently the doctor es.nle and kneit by Randy's side and scofded through his set teeth, even while he si,illfully stripped away the huuting-shirt and so reached the shat tered arm.
 Then came the glorious sunshine streaming over the Guadaloupe and gliding the westward Mescalero, and then far out among the buttes, one two-three, at regular intervals, the ringing, echoing signals of the cavalry oarbine; and rough-garbed troopers sprang to their feet and shouted loud, and clapped ball cartridge into the