The Delta independent., 1898-12-23
CHAPTER II.

the long extended column hove in sight
of . patch of green down in a distant
deprsssion to the south that marked tho
sits Of Crockett Springa Beyond it.
hemming the broad, shallow valley.
there rose a long wave Of bare. desolate
heights, rounded aud billowing in soft
aud graceful contours as they rolled
away northeastward. abrupt and jagged
toward the south and southwest, where
the stream seemed to have torn u path
way for the sudden torrents Of the
springtide that teamed away toward
the broader valley of the Bravo
A. the point where rounding the nose
of low ridge the trail twisted into
visW Of Gro, ksts's the major halted to
look hack ovee his command, still trip
ping sesadily oavaEd in little bunckes
each . dossa strong, each followed b.
h own little dust cloud. each indie
paudeas apparently Of the others, YET
moving ~ part Of one harmonious train
Fossmost the group at the head OF col
umu had received accessioaA Fuller.
the sutler, finely mounted and bristliny
with arms Of the latest and most ap-
proved pattern, backed by two sun
tanned Texans from his ranch. had over
taken the command ct noon. tent on
sharing its fortunes in the tusslo antici-
pnssd with the outlawA and they were
SOW riding with headquarters" from
which, On the other hand. two figures
Wsee missing-Lawrence and one Of the
eederlieA A early as Q O'Clock the ex-
captain had pushed on ahead. n double
object In view, to warn Cramer's troop
q the coming Of the Worth command
end the tidings they bore Of the Friday
gang, also to have little party mount
q ono and gallop northeast, ten miles
20 the Saba. trail--a short cut from
Worth TO the San Saba pass. used BY
horssmen In the rainy season. Captain
Ctamsr might or mieht not have re-
esivsd warning Of the appearance Of
ths gAng In the valley below his camp
as the springA but the FridayA
wbosvee their leader. would certainly
have friends and confederates On the
watch near Worth. friends who would
probably taks thas very short ont and
Onllop ~ speed 70 warn the gang of the
euning veagsance. Oddly sn0rgh, u
Wao noe BROOKS nor Lawreoce who VS.
lsss - think a thiA bus Barclay. II
Was bis modest suRgestion at xhe NOM
helk suggestion thas was pus in form
q . qoeseion, that had opened the ms
tue's eyeA II remember. sir. I" said he.
''thas the springs lie in . sort If elbow.
Ths Trail runs neasly eass aud west fos
Daay miles beyond them. and nearly
Dosth and south On this side Is there
70 way in which scouts could gsllop
scEo0 cur loft aud givo warning to
thoss fsllows7''
"By Jove. mid Brooks. "ti,ere's the
eld Gan Saba cus ofli What had We bet-
~ do, LAWrencs2'' And Lawrence said
70 send - oIuo . sergeant with . set Of
fours 20 the left until they cut the trail
IN order 70 prevent information goina
20 the gnna that way and to report II
any hoesemen bad already passed, which
lastes any old frontiersman could tell pc
Q glanoA Aullane, lurcbing drowsily
n aAddle all through the last stage. had
thrown himself ON the turf and gnne
suand asleep shs moment the column
halted. Only With extreme difficulty
suald - - asoussd and made to under
soand Whoa Wss wanted. Mr.. Winu.
SEEDING silently By. turned hts back On
his tsmpcrsry commander. He knew
~ 1rish csptata was we'll nigh swamp
"a With hqaos. eod he bad no wish 10
beas wieooD agAinss him. Those woro
Aays % closs 70 tho war that officers.
I'D and n0W. sill Thought moro Of what
. msn hsd dnne than Of what he was
aoin0. - Nullans had been gallant
TROOPS. "Ys tipd to 1t. sergeant.
Was again the lrislinan . com preheasivs
order N his 1rst sergeant when as Lass
Ae grasped the significance Of Brooks
words. and I've horscinen rode away 1t
~ lope to the left front the moment
ne column again mounted Again did
Brooks 80 d TO "a utiUu his leading troop
commander II am afraid you have
0mpled that whisky once too often.
0ullsDe No mere Of it now. or you II
70 20 pieces when you are most needed.
~ Euttered. then rode ON 20 the bead
q column.
And the prediction came tTue. AZ tho
WY next b. 10 kulIane had fallen into
. ssupos % teavy that II was found I'm.
possible TO rouse him The aasistant
surgeon with the column made brief ex-
animation. sben unslune and removed
The canteeu at the captain pommel aud
whtspessd his cuucIusion. "Better lesyo
his hosss end orderly hero with him."
'Thsa." ssid The major bssedy.
"Wina. yos command l. troop" Ard
Wbes a0sin The column mounted Bar
e3ay rude hsck and directed bis leading
oDCsiD 70 incline 70 the right % thas
~ pssrd The lonely little group. the
I've hmss plscidly cropping as The
ouase bsstaee tbs orderly sqsassine
VIII svuRted facs. 1lled q oecs with
ahaDs md syDpashy. ths sscuDbsot
1oWo peawIee upus ~ pssiris. ffs
beososA Fpd vtgnos bssied 10 sbe biGe
Goesvsa ss1A nhscaay ssnrwurd 80
-, S-~ef~~sS~~nv arlnrA 49, -