The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1899-02-16

For so miles northward the Santa
Clara twined and twisted through a
fairly fertile valley, once the herding
ground of the Navajos, now wild and al
most unsettled. Americans and Mexi-
cans both had tried it as stock range,
but American cattle and American
horses demanded n better quality of
grass and more of it than would serve
the stomach of the Indian pony. Treaty
obligations sent the Navajos farther
into the mountains to the northwest
beyond the Mescalero-but there were
restless roamers who were constantly
off the reservation, sometimes on pass
but oftener on mischief, and on the pre-
text of trading they came recklessly as
far as the settlement, and then some
body's horses were sure to be missing,
spirited away into the foothills, whittier
it was almost useless to follow. The
Navajos said the Mexicans were the
thieves, the Mexicans declared them to
be the Navajos, and when both parties
were caught and accused, with prompt
unanimity both announced that
Apaches must again be raiding, and the
name Of Apache covered multitude
of sins. Time was when Victoria and
Mana led the cavalry some glorious
chases into the Mescalero, but both
those redoubtables had met their fate,
and agency officials across the Arizona
line were ready to swear that none of
their once intractable followers ever
thought of quitting corn or melon
planting for the forbidden joys of the
raid and the warpath. All the same the
foothills and the valley far to the north
west of the settlements were full of
mystery and danger-the roaming
ground of the horsethief and the rene
gade, and Merriam's men, just in from
their long chase, pointed out how the
Mexican ruffians, though starting
originally toward the southwest, had
in long wide circuit gradually worked
their way northward, as though making
for this very region. The leader of the
gang that shot Brady and Corcoran was
fellow by the name OF Ramon Valdez,
and there was no deviltry too steep for
him. The news, therefore, that Flor
ence Merriam had not reached Jose's,
but that her trail was lost somewhere
among the buttes and powders four
miles to the eastward of that frontier
refuge, struck dismny to the hearts OF
her friends ut Sedgwick. The tidings
went from lip to lip, from house to
house, like wildfire, and by midnight
an entire troop had ridden forth with
their ever ready three days rations,
and with Capt. George Grafton in com
mand, and their orders were not T. re-
turn without Mrs. Merriam or definite
news of her.
Mrs. Grafton let her husband 90 only
with deep reluctance. He was very nee
essary to her now. She felt the need of
his support in the management Of her
truculent patient. She had to leave the
latter while assisting him in his busy
preparations, and she was surprised
and rejoiced to see that on her.return
to her Fanny had become far more calm
and resigned. The ladies in many
households were still up and fitting
about the post, tearfully, forebodingly
discussing the situation. and several OF
them had dropped in to speak a word
with Mrs. Grafton-Whittaker and
Minturn being ever on the alert to es-
cort such parties-and so it was long
after one-indeed, it was nearly two
o'clock-when at last, after final peep
at her now placidly sleeping guest and
leaving Annette curled up on the sofa
by her mistress bedside, Mrs. Grafton
finally sought her own pillow and slept
long into the sunshine of the following
day.
Awakening with start at the sound
OF stirring music on the parade, she
found that it was after eight and guard
was in full blast. Summon
ing servant, her first question was for
news OF Mrs. Merriam, for servants al
ways know the garrison news before
their masters. Not word had been re-
seived. Presently she tiptoed to Fan
ny's room, softly turned the knob, and
noiselessly entered. There lay her guest
still plunged in deep slumber, but An
nette had disappeared, gone. probably,
to the kitchen for coffee. Far over at
The east, where the railway crossed the
barren mesa, a locomotive whistle broke
the silence OF the desert with long, ex-
ultant blast. The blockade then was
broken. The first train was coming in
from Cimnrron. Dressing with greater
haste than usual, she ordered breakfast
served, and then went out on the piazza
Ind looked up the row toward the Mer-
'iams'. The doctor was Just coming
cut OF the gate, and Whitaker, who had
spent the night there on watch-all
thought of rivalry forgotten-was
standing on the top step, apparently
ietaining the physician with some oues-
Ion. Eager for news of Randy, Mrs.
irafton threw her husbands cavalry
APE over her shoulders and tripped |
'riskly up the gravel walk. "Still sleep
n.y." said the doctor, "and how is your |
Also sleeping" said Mrs. Grafton.
1 don't see how people can sleep so
ioundly at such times" whereat the
ioctor looked conscious but said moth
ng.
All that morning people strained their
yes and rubbed their binoculars and
earched the distant foothills to the
northwest, hoping for the coming of
curriers' with news; but not until utter
loon were they rewarded. Then, COW
red with sweat and dust. corporal OF
'rafton's troop rode in. DR.. Gould and
'irs. Hayne were still at Jose's. though
hey feared they could be of no use
here, for not sign OF Florence had been