Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-08-04

| WdtclmeD, whose uuTIleulS uleu d4dl IL
shots instantly brought out every man
in camp. But, as far as then catching
the robber was concerned, we might
as well have been a hundred miles
away, for not another horse in our lot
could at all approach The kentucky
racer in speed.
Charlie was furious-as much with
himself as anyone else, l presume
and for a while it looked as if his viO-
lent upbraiding ofthe negligent guards
would lead to bloodshed.
But finally he quieted down little,
turned to our guide, Dave Ingram,
and said
What's to be done, Dave? No more
marching for me till Jess is recovered.
III have her back, or I'll leave my
own carcass for the wolves to pick -
"Well, Charlie" cooIly replied the
veteran, 81 guess the first thing to do
is to get breakfast. When that's over
I'll maybe study out plan of opera
tions. Just hold yourself for while.
If you try any fool tricks, the coyotes Il
pick your bones, sure enough least
wise all the roasted meat that Il be
left on EN- after the Indians get
through with their fun. The red cusses
have had their eyes on that mare for
many day. They know her value
as we'll as you do, and it's not going
to be any tenderfoot job to get her
back"
The fiery Kentuckian did not an
.wer, but busted himself in assisting to
take the stock out to water and pas
ture, while the two men whose "cook
day" it was hurried their preparations
for breakfast. When the meal was
ready, all gathered around the mess
wagon and were soon absorbed in the
not unpleasant occupation Of devour-
ing buffalo steaks, fried bacon, flap
Jacks and such other good things as
the cooks had provided.
Charley finished first, and then
quietly strolled away, as if for his u.s.
ual smoke. No one paid any partic-
ular attention to his movements, un-
til, in less than five minutes after he
had left us, we saw him mounted and
armed, galloping furiously away
straight for the mountains.
"Boys /" cried the guide, that con-
sarned idiot has 8cooted off alone
He's bound to lose his scalp, and,
what's a blamed sight worse, make the
Indians present of the best horse
that's left. No, there no use follow
ing him. He'll never see his mare
she's halfway to the Tonic camp by
this time; but before he goes mile
into the foothills he'll be in the hands
of the reds that are covering her trail. .
"But Dave?" simultaneously shout
ed dozen men, 1--WE can't leave Char
lie Wesson to perish in that way.
Let's saddle up and ride after him
like lightning. Maybe we'll be in
time to save him"
"Boys, listen to me-" impressiyely
reioined the old veteran, Eve We only
ten horses left so only ten of us can
take up the chase. Armed as we are
that would be enough to whip a big
band of redskins in fair fight on the
open plain; but riding into trap, set
on purpose for US, is another sort Of
story. If we were such greenhorns as
to do that, every man of US would be
stuck full Of arrows before he'd seen
what hurt him. Not a mothers son
of US would come out Of those noun
tains alive, and instead of saving
Charlie and the two horses, we'd just
give the red devils ten more, besides
our own scalps and shooting irons.
That's exactly what they reckoned on
when they sent their scout out to steal
the mare; but l rather guess they'll
be fooled this time"
Though all sadly recognized the
soundness of Dawes logic, one Of us
asked:
Would you, then, leave WessOn to
his horrible fate, without making an
effort to save him.
"Not by the biggest kind Of a Jug
full, replied the old Indian fighter.
"If he's not killed of-hand-and |
don't believe he will bs-we'll save
him and his mare, too; but there's
only one way of doing it. Most like
ly, SOS to prevent him firing shOt
to warn US, the redsll yank him off
his horse with lariat before be sees
one of them. Then they'll hide the
horse with their own ponies and wait
for us to come along; but when their
l. 4b,o