The Delta independent., 1898-12-16

"HuQt time Ufit ere make CrOckcffa. ma
JOf7"
guidons wero pesping. hoveroG over
their winding trail tho bold and com
manding heights. Fort Worth 3 shelter
d ninst the keen blasts that swept IN
Winter time across the prairie FROM the
upper valley Of the Rio Bravo Four
hours out aud just where the road dip
ped into that broad deep swale = quar-.
ter mile Lehind tho renrmost trtppers--
Just where the wreck Of Que of Eulleg's
wagons and the bones Of two Of Full
ier's mules and the soft sponRy mud TO
the west Of the trail told how the we-
tiers could gather there in the rainy
season and evaporate tn uothingDess
when needed in tho dry-s solitary
stake driven into the yielding soil bors
on bullet perforated cross board the
legend. Twenty miles to Worth and
only 90 rods to hell.
Only 20 miles in four hours. with
fresh horses and the cool Of the morn
ing. and n paynaster With $4,000 in
deadly danger some GO vo so miles
away. Slow going that. yet scientific
Not another drop Of water could thoss
lively chargers hope TO have until they
reached the springs at Crockett. 40
miles syay.
Thrice has Brooks halted fer brief ten
minutes rest. the rcseiting of saddles,
etc. and now, after rs minutes likely
Jog, he signals walk" again. and
nlsncos back tn watch tbs rIarCb Of his
mon. BY this tune tho coiurnn Is long
drawn out. Tho two troops are spill. up
into four -ectIous each. riding little
over q dozen men IN bunch. by this
means they are relieved from tho III
effects Of tee choking clouds Of dust
Sullane halis with the major ft
p.eascs him to convey tbe impression 70
his men that Brooks can't get along
without hin. a big pull at his pommel
can;.n, ten minutes back. bas tenn.
porarily b1acod him. ard be wants II
talk whereas Crooks. intent on the
duty before him, wishes 10 think
'"Hwat tine will We make Crockett'x
mejor?''
'Eot before = OF go. - Is tho brief
answer
"Ltrcop can Go IT In two hours less .
$50 could d, IL IL badn't to push on
aaain at nightfaIl. Brooks answers in
civil tone. despite the hint Conveyed Nv
the brevitv Of his words. despite tho
conviction q st h growing on him as he
somewhat waTiIy glances over his cont
paninn, that what l. might do its
captain wuD't do 10 he consults that
canteen again Two silent but Keen
cared orderlies are sitting In saddls
close beside their respective officers aud
IL will not do to give his thoughts
awny.
Thea Mrllarc tries another tack Ho
seeks confidential relations with his
chief. srd when an irisan,sn has "a man
he 10 5calous of 70 talk about and whis.
Ky 20 start him. he needs no supply II
facts. they bubble from his seethina
brain. manufactured Tor the occasion.
The yr--ciser was csught where he
couldn's get cut of IL. says he. with .
lerring winb st the leading horscmxn
"Is he Iarni- his thraie from Lawr,uca
afther robbin him cf bis throops"
Ard now rrpks fires up unexpected
~. Turning quickly ON the Irishmau
with anger in his eyes. the major bends
forward over the rommel Captain
Muilane. he says. 80 low that tho
peariy Troopers fail TO catch his worsIs
81 distinctly that the captain eanros
fail 70. there sre things of more vsIus
In . trade tLap the tricks Of is that yov
scsss to ksoW - veil You can Ie,ru
DNS fsuo CsSasis Basulay that =
W~stA kpowins shss yca s.a ever s~.so.
hin, - l'Ii lissea - 20 ssus q hjs IN.
p-A Yoo'vS - Asiskiag 10 .srN
0u11nnA 1Ahs ~ s1viSs - ali -
ouUD - = - enDtsD - ~ e.