Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-20

trickled under the burning sun.
mo use goin any farther" grum-
h,ed Hark Calkina
"I'm afraid not" Quin assented.
"we'n have rest and then turn back. "
WHAT'S that yonderf" exclaimed .
cowboy known as Old Derrick.
His keen eyes had been the first to
discover two dark figures in the dis
tance, and he pointed them ont to his
companions The objects came rapidly
nearer from the direction Of the north.
west, but they were not camels. They
presently resolved themselves into two
horsemen. and a CLEAN Of blue and
fash Of steel left no doubt as to then
identity; they were U. 8. cavalrymen.
Meanwhile the cowboys had dis
mounted TO stretch their cramped
limbs, but Quin remained in the saddle
and rode forward to meet the troopers.
They were officer and private and wore
| the familiar blue uniform and gray
slouch hat They checked their painting
steeds as Quin came alongside Of them
and regarded him rather sternly.
"what are you doing herei" the OH
Ger inquired.
"Lcoking for . herd Of camels,"
Quin replied. Ibid you sec anything Of
| themT
"No," said the ofncer. with an In
credulous laugh They're not about
this neiRhborhood.
"The government lays no claim TO
them. believef"
"Not q Bit" the officer answered.
"The brutes are common property So
you re after camels, shi Where's your
camp, and how many Of you are therer
The questions were put In suspi'
cious tone, that Quin was inclined to
resent, but he answered them promptly
and briefly.
"Is there fort neari' he added.
Eyes. Fort Stayman--20 miles TO
the northwest.
At that moment the private. who
was on the farther side, whispered a
few words in the ear Of the officer. The
latter started.
''Sure Of itf" he whispered.
dead certain. lieutenant.
Then know his game. ! wondered
what he was doing 30 close to the res
ervation. Il may account for these ru-
mors''--
He broke Of abruptly and turned 70
Quin. who had scarcely noticed the lit
tie byrlay and had not heard any OF
the conversation.
II hope you may find the camels. my
good fellow" he drawled. "As for
catching them, that's another matter.
But you seem to have plenty OF help"
The officer added curt word Of fare
well. and then. with . keen glance at
the cowboys, he and the private wheel
ed their horses about and rode Of rs
they had come. They receded rapidly,
splashing through fosding Of the riv-
er and continuing on across the level
desert. Meanwhile Quin had returned
to his companions
What did them fellars wantf" asked
Old Derrick.
Nothing in particular. as far ~ ]
could tell" Quin replied.
"It's like the burned bluecoats. "
grumbled Hark Calkins Always pokin
about somewhere. reckon they
thought we were mp to no good. or else
they took MS for redskins what had
slipped the reservation. !"
Twenty minutes later. refreshed by
their halt. the little party mounted and
rode away. They reached camp three
or four hours before sunset and found
good news awaiting them. Carruthers
and his companions had discovered
comparatively fresh camel tracks SIX
miles to the south and had followed
them TO the moath Of high and mar
row gorge. They had seen plenty OF
timber and grass within, and here the
whole herd Of camels doubtless was n
the present time.
1--WE must corner them before they
get out again, Quin exclaimed eager
ly. Suppose we move the camp on at
once so we can begin operations the
first thing in the morning"
The cowboys were disposed to favor
this plan.
II know the place" said Old Der.
rick. 1.-THE valley leads into the San
Carlos Indian reservation. which be-
longs to the worst Of all the Apaches.
II the camels get out by the other end,
we won't dare to follow them. We
must head them of and drive them
back"
1T was rumored at FL Pax," Pepper
Smith observed dubiously. ''that the
redskins was threatenin trouble"
This remark was laughed at, and
some Of the men asserted that there had
never been less prospects Of q rising,
which was much to Quin's relief. He
carried his point. and in a very few
minutes all was ready. Over the dusty
plain fled the cavalcade Of horsemen.
followed by the mule wagon. For the
last mile they had slightly rising
ground, and before the sun was quite
below the horizon their camp was
pitched close to the mouth Of the gorge,
far back in which tempting patches Of
green were visible, though the north
front of the range Of hills presented .
bare and rocky aspect.
The success Of the expedition now
seemed likely, II not assured, and the
men were in high spirits during supper.
When that meal was over-an hour OF
daylight still remained-Quin an
nounced his intention Of setting forth
on reconnaissance.
~ want to make sure that the camels
are really in the valley, !" he added. III
find that out, we'll know just how to
plan for tomorrow. III take one man
with me.
A number volunteered to 60. but
Quin finally chose Hsrk Calkins, know
ing him to be the most expert tracker
and plainman. The two shouldered|
their rifles and started Of on foot.
while their comrades shouted various
warnings and instructions after them.
They pressed on rapidly and cautiously,
and turn Of the gorge soon hid the
camp from view.
The scene was one Of majestic gran
deur, and IL recalled to Quin certain
parts Of the HimalayasL The mountain
pass wound gently upward. and In the
middle was q narrow trail, worn in|
former days by bands Of raiding Indians
and columns Of avenging troopers
Right and left was . tangle Of stunted
timber. bushes, fallen logs and hsaped