The Advocate and news., 1899-01-11


the falda Brooks struck the Glow trot
he had learned long years before from
the beloved major Of his old regiment,
and doggedly the column took it up
and followed. Not q mile had they
gone when the sun came peering mp
over the heights far in their wake; for
q 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 column en- route "wagging like
sleeps tails" say the troopers, but IL
takes a forced all night march, follow
Ing an all day ride, followed by a
morning start without either cold
plunge or hot coffee, to stamp a column
with the silence Of o Quaker meeting
Let no man think, however, the fight
10 out Of its heart unless he is suffering
Tor sorimmage on any terms. Men
wake up with snap at sound Of the
Girst shot, dull eyes fash in answer to
the bUgle challenge, and worn and
wearied troopers "take brace" chat
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 none go
poor as to be found wanting.
Two miles ont, and the column woke
up at the cry, "Yon comes a courierl"
and coming he was, "hell to split"
said Sergeant McHugh, from afar of
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 tugging at both reins, sputtering
and plunging up to the head Of column
and blnrted out his news: II thought
you was the escort, sir--the paymas-
ter's escort They left camp at 8 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
90 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, | reckon; one one way
and the other the other. "
Then Brooks signaled over his shoul-
der: "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
blocded 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
fifteen Barclay and his corporal were
but dots along the falda now and NOV
ing SWIFTLY. Then at a higher point, in
plain view, one dot began circling to
the left at speed. Every man 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 the turf there was but little dust
Co rise, and Brooks could keep most OF
his men together. Far of 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 spurring 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