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

sent 'em around by Canon Springs and the
Sweetwater?"
Yes. 1 heard that too,' said Folsom, still
wondering
You know some one must have put that
Btrdsall gang on the scent and that Burlegh
has had alleged nerve prostration ever since
and has been too i'll to any one or to
leave his bed.''
Yes, SO we were told"
We'll, he's we'll enough to be up and away
God knows where and here is the reason
Just In from the North" and, trembling with
excitement, Pecksniff pointed to the closing
paragraph of the letter in his hand:
Cords, seals and wrapping were intact
when handed to the Quartermaster, but the
contents were nothing but worthless paper
1t must have been SO when given to Lieut.
Dean"
Folsoms eyes were popping from his head
He sank into a chair, gazing up in con-
sternation.
Don't you see, MANI said Pecksniff
"some one in the depot is short ten thou
sand dollars or so. Some one hoped to cover
this shortage in just this way-to send a.
little squad with bogus package, and then
turn loose the biggest gang of ruffians in the
country They would have got 1t but for the
storm at Canon Springs, and no one would
got it without a murderous fight. No one
would ever dare confess his completely In it.
No statement of theirs that there wasn't a
Some ones shortage would be covered and
his reputation saved The plot failed, and
Gods mercy was over Deans young head.
He'd "a been murdered or ruined If the plan
worked-and now Burleigh's gone!''
CHAPTER XXI.
Yes, Burleigh was gone, and there was
confusion at the depot. At the doctor had
come forth from his room, saying he was
better, but must not be disturbed. At the
major, carrying satchel, had appeared at
his office, where two clerks were smoking
their pipes, innocent of all thought Of their
employers coming 1t was after hours.
They had no business there at the time
Smoking was prohibited in the office, yet
1t was the major who seemed most embar-
raised at the unexpected meeting It was
the major who hastily withdrew. He was
found that he had sent word to the division
superintendent that the general had tele-
graphed for him to join him at once at Chey-
enne, and a special engine and caboose would
be needed. At quarter past this had
started full speed. 1t was II when the dis
covery was made. Meantime Folsom and
Stevens had consulted together. Folsom had
told Of the large sum he had loaned Bur-
leigh and the conditions attached and be-
tween them dispatch, concisely setting
forth their suspicious was sent the general
at Cheyenne. with orders to rush." as they
were determined, II possible, to head off the
fugitive at that point. Back came the wire
ten minutes before midnight that the general
had left Cheyenne for Laramie by stage that
evening, and must now be near the Chug-
water and far from Geographic communica-
ton Then Stevens wired the sheriff at Chey-
enne and the commanding officer of the new
post of Fort Russell to stop Burleigh at all
hazards, and at in the morning the an
swer came that the major had reached Chey-
enne about midnight and they would search
everywhere for him. That was the last until
long after the rising Of another sun.
Events and eXcitements, alarms and rumors
followed each other with startling rapidity
during the day. In glazing headlines the To-
cal paper published the details of the mas
sacre at the Gap lauding the valor and de-
votion Of the soldiers, but heaping abuse
upon the commander of the post, who with
other troops at his disposal had looked on
and lifted no hand to aid them. Later of
course, it was proved that the veteran had
foiled old Red Clouds villainous plan to
lure the whole garrison into the open coun-
try and there surround and slowly ami
hilate It, while then, or at their leisure later.
his chosen ones should set fire to the unpro-
tected stockade and bear off those of the
women or children whose years did not COM
mend them to the mercy of the Ratchet Sol
diers and thinking men soon saw the colonel
was right, and that the only mistake he had
made was In allowing any of the garrison 10
go forth at ALL But this verdict was not
published. except long after as unimportant
news and In some obscure corner The Lar
annie column. so the news ran, was hast
enipg down the Powder river to strike Red
Cloud. The Indians would be severely pun
ished, etc., etc. But old Folsom's face grew
winter yet as he read that such orders had