The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-11-02


The captain swore now, fierce osths
and loud. Il order you back under
cover, sir
Mackworth glanced at him and went
on smoking. Morley did not fancy his
own position, arguing with green boy,
fully exposed to an invisible enemy. He
knew that wasting officers is pretty, but
is not war. II shall order you to the
rear under arrest unless you get back
there with the men Immediately"
Mackworth retired, with look at
his superior for which he should have
been court-martialed. After that the
scout went the way of most scouts, be-
ing chase of the intangible, up noun
tain ranges, when you pulled your horse
after you; down them, when he slid
atop of you; across malpais and desert,
from the level of the mesquite and the
greasewood to that of the pine and the
manzanita. Chattos band was at the
north, to the south, to the east and
west; but when the troops got to the
spot, after forced marching, there was
nothing.
1t went on for two months; and all
the while Mackworth's dependency
grew. The weight of years was upon
his yet barely squared shoulders. the
troubles of lifetime Were writ upon
his face. And it was pitiably young
face, despite the growth of yellow
beard. He would not be comforted. He
was silent and morose. He would not
lift up his beautiful baritone in song,
be the camp never SO dull. Only his cap
tain knew why, of course--and he didn't
tell. Neither did he attempt consola-
ton. He thought the remorse health
full, and he knew, besides, that in such
cases a man has to work out his own
conclusions and salvation. This is the
way Mackworth eventually tried to
work out his.
There came one day runner from
the hostiles--a dish-faced, straight
locked creature of sinews-who spoke
through the White Mountain inter-
prefer of the troops and Said that the
chief was ready to go back to the res
ervation, but that he must go upon
his own terms. And the chief stipu-
lated, moreover, that one white man
one, alone and unguarded--should go
to the hostile camp and discuss those
| terms. If force attempted to come
he would retreat with his braves and
stay out all winter.
Morley made answer that he had no
fear of the chief staying out all win
ter among the mountains when the
agency was so comfortable. but that if
he did the white man could stand it as
long as could he. Moreover, he said
that none of his soldiers had any in
tention whatever of walking into a
death-trap of the sort.
Then Mackworth spoke up. Il have, y
he said.
"Get out" said the captain, increelu-
lousy.
mean what say" said Mackworth.
''and j shall consider your permission
to 60 the greatest and the only favor
YOU can do me. Something may be eff
fected by it,
"Your death. that's all; and a little
preliminary torture"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoul-
ders. "Shall you let me go?' he IN
sisted.
Not by long sight
81 wish to go, Capt. Morley.
Morley considered, and he decided
that it might not be wise to refuse
There was no knowing just what the
set-faced boy might do. So they par
leyed together for time, then Mack
worth mounted his horse and went. he
did not expect to come back, and the
officers and men did not expect to see
him again. They watched him go OF
into the distance of the plain, towart
the mountains, following the hostile
who swung on at the long, untiring dog
trot.
After four hours they came TO TIT
mouth of a narrow canyon. 1he run
ner had given no sign or sound. and th'
fixed look had not gone from Mack
worth's face. Well within the canyol
the hostiles were in camp. They hat
hobbled their lean little ponies, th
sauaws were gathering wood. and tn
bucks were squatting upon the groun'
or playing monte with cards of painte'
hide, around a cow-skin spread unde
a cedar tree. Four of them rose ant
slouched forward. There was pro
longed scrutiny upon both sides.
The chief waited for Mackworth t.
begin: but the white mans instinct
were good. He beat the sullen silen
redskin at his own game, and in the en'
the chief spoke. The runner displaye'
for the first time his understanding
and interpreted. Mackworth made an
swer with decision. offsetting his owl
terms. The bucks scowled. and tn
chief began to argue. The white mar
with the unfiinching eyes. would no
compromise. ''Tell him. Mackwortl
said. shat this is my will. If he will no
do this, 1 go back to the soldiers an
we follow you and kill you all. man ant
woman" The face of the chief grey
black. a growl rose from the crowd
l ing bucks. and the watching squaw
r began to chatter in voices sweet as tn
/ Il. IL.