The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-10-28

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the beloved major Of his old regiment,
and doggedly the column took it up
and followed. Not mile had they
gone when the sun came peering up
over the heights far in their wake; for
a few minutes the dew flashed and
sparkled on the turf before it died be-
meath that fiery breath. and still no
man spoke. Sound sleep by night,
cold plunge at dawn and the hot tin Of
soldier coffee send the morning tongues
Of a column en- route "wagging like
sleeps tails" say the troopers, but it
takes forced all night march, follow
ing an all day ride, followed by
morning start without either cold
nlunge or hot coffee, to stamp column
with the silence of a Quaker meeting.
Let no man think, however, the fight
is out Of it's heart unless he is suffering
for scrimmage on any terms. Men
wake up with a snap at sound Of the
first shot, dull eyes flash in answer to
the bugle challenge, and worn and
wearied troopers "take Brace that
means mischief to the foe at the first
note that tells of trouble ahead. Just
two miles out there came the test to
Brooks men, and there was mono SO
poor as to be found wanting.
Two miles out, and the column woke
up at the cry, lyon comes a courier!''
and coming he was, hell to split, .
said Sergeant McHugh, from afar off
over the rolling prairie to the south
west. Five minutes brought him within
hail-a corporal from the camp on the
Rio San Saba, on foaming horse, who
came Juggling at both reins, suffering
and plunging up to the head of column
and blurted out his news: 81 thought
you was the escort, sir-the paymas-
ter's escort They left camp at last
night, and at 2 this morning Corporal
Murphy got back, shot, and said they
were corralled in the hills on the old
trail. The captain is coming along with
20 men and sent me ahead. They must
be ten miles from here yet, sir.
'The paymaster or the captain?''
asked Brooks, his heart beating hard,
but his face imperturbable.
Both, sir, l reckon; one one way
and the other the other
Then Brooks signaled over his Shout
Ger: We've got to gallop, Barclay.
It's neck or nothing now." And some
horses even then were dropping at the
trot.
Six O'Clock now. Six miles from the
eastward mouth of the pass, and spurs
were plying here and there throughout
the column, for many found their horses
tagging sorely. Barclay on his splendid
blooded bay was far out to the front,
the corporal courier with him, for
theirs were the only mounts that could
stand another forcing of the pace.
Rearward three or four horses, ex-
hausted, were being gathered up by
burly sergeant and with their weary
riders led slowly along the trail. Six
Barclay and his corporal were
but dots along the falda now and NOV
ing swiftly. Then at higher point, in
plain view, one dot began circling to
the left ut speed Every san knew
what that meant, and the signal was an
swered by another squirt. The sun was
telling at last. The dew had dried, but
along tie turf there was but little dust
to rise, and Brooks could keep most Of
his men together. Far off to the left
all eyes could see now the sign that told
that rival rescuers were gaining. The
little squad from the San Saba camp
came squirting along the beaten trail,
betrayed by the cloud of dust that rose
above them.
Young Connolly, the guidon bearer
of Barclays troop, unfurled his color
and set it Tapping in the rising breeze
in trooper challenge, and down the col
umn set and haggard faces lighted up
with the CLEAN of soldier joy. 1t was
to be race-a race to the rescue. Six
thirty, and over low ridge went
Brooks and Vim, close followed by
their orderlies. Far away, midway up
the opposite slope, stretched slender,
twisting, traversing seam-the winding
trail to Crockett's. The black dots in
the lead were now three in number,
darting toward two others, black dots,
too, some four miles away and to the
right front, right in among the hills
keep it up. lads. The quicker to wa
ter and rest, . are the majors words
now, and spurs set home again despite
equine grunts in protest. Six-forty,
and the dots in front are blacker and
bigger and popping about three 1t
them at least in lively motion. check
ing suddenly, then darting to and fro,
and the cry bursts from the leaders,
lips: BY God, they're at it! Now,
lads for all you're worth, come on. !"
Six forty five, and rounding a project
ing spur, shoulder from the range
Brooks, Winn and the doctor burst in
view of a scene that banishes the last
thought Of WEAKNESS. Barely mile or
SO away rocky ledge lies beyond and
parallel with the trail. It's Jagged crest
is splitting smoke and fire. Its smoother
slopes, toward the east, are dotted in
places by the bodies of dead or dying
horses. and in places, too, by other
smaller forms, apparently stiff and mo-
tionless Off the trail, as though drag
ged there by atfrighted and agonized
animals, lies an overturned ambulance,
fc elk n L.