The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-09

here day after tomorrow, or tomorrow
night in fact. It's long after 10 now
The escorts were warned as we came
aleng."
II think it a mistake, said Brooks
gravely, ito let any one know before
hand when the paymaster is to start.
That Friday gang probably musters 100
by this time. It's where all our thieves
and deserters 60. I haven't doubt
your old sergeant has joined them by
this time, Lawrence believe that's
where Marsdens gone, and that we'll
hear from them in force again before
we're month older. They've kept
reasonably quiet all winter, but June
ism t far off. I'm blessed if would
want to make that trip from San An.
tonic with $40, 900 in greenbacks with
less than q big troop of cavalry to
guard it"
He's got more money than that this
time, "saia Lawrence Most Of these
men have four months pay due them,
so have the cavalry along the route. He
has two other posts to pay. Hello," no
cried, breaking suddenly off, whats
all the light about down at the sutler S?
Here comes the sergeant of tine guard"
Running diagonally across the parade,
the moonlight glinting on his buttons
and accouternents, an infantry non
commissioned officer was speeding TO-
ward the quarters of Captain Blythe,
hear the upper end of the row, but,
catching sight of the group at the
majors, he suddenly swerved and came
straight toward them.
"What is it, sergeant" asked two or
three voices ut once.
II was looking for the officer Of the
day, sir. Ii he here?"
cover ut his quarters. probably
What's amiss?"
"There's two of Fuller's men in, sir,
from Crockett-just about played out.
They swear that not an hour after sun
set the whole Friday gang-it couldn't
have been anything else-oame a-riding
ont from the foothills over toward the
Wild Rose and kept Oh to the southeast
They saw the dust against the sky and
hid in the rocks away off to the east Of
the trail, and they swear there must
have been 81 of 'em at least"
He had hardly time to finish the
words when the sutler himself came
galloping over the parade, "hot foot,
on his wiry mustang and drew up in
front of the gate. "Has the sergeant
told your" he asked breathlessly. "It's
Reed and his partner, two of the best
men OIL my ranch, and they can't be
mistaken. You know what it must
mean, gentlemen. The gang is after the
paymaster, and think Colonel Frazier
should know at once" No wonder Full
Ter was breathless, bareheaded and only
half dressed. Anywhere from $50, 900
to $40, 900 might be diverted from its
proper and legitimate use if that Friday
gang should overpower the guard and
get away with it. His Golfers were filled
with sutler checks redeemable in cur
rcncy at the pay table, as was the vaunt-
ed way Of the old army. 1t was case
of feast or famine with Fuller, and be
poured his tale into sympathetic ears.
Brooks himself went over to the colo
nel's and found that weasel of chief
already awake.
Mrs. Frazier didn't allow galloping
over her parade in the dead Of the night
without an attempt to detect the perpe-
traitor. That vigilant dame had more
than once brought graceless skylarkers
to terms and the quadrupedante putrem
sonitu Of Fuller's mustang represented
to her incensed and virtuous ears only |
The mad lark Of some scapegrace subal.
tern, who perchance had not been as
to Wanda as he should have
been, and she was out Of dreamland
md over at the window before Fuller
'airly drew rein.
"What Is 1t, Brooks, me boy?" asked
Frazier from his easement, as did gal.
amt O'Dowd of his loyal Dobbin. "I'll
20 down In q minute" By the time be
'eached the door Fuller had hurried up
lis stiff and wearied scouts, and in the
presence Of little party of officers the
tory was told again, and told without
freak on variation. There was only one
opinion. The scattered outlaws had
asily got wind of the coming Of the
,aymaster with his unusual amount Of
reasure, and, quickly assembling, they ,
we're heading away to meet him far to
be southeast Of the big post, very pos.
IDLY planning to ambusoade the party
n tho winding deflles Of the San Saba
ills. Nota moment was to be lost. For
he first time the full weight Of his d.
oroe from all that WIS once his profess.
lon and his pride fsli on Ned Law.
ence, a. for an instant the colonel's
Yea tnrncA n him ~ ~ nld.--kha daah.