The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-12-01

had varying effect on the occupants
of the leading wagon. The shout of
Indians" from Bryan's lips, the sight
of scurry on the ridge ahead brought
the engineer and aid-de-camp spring
ing out, rifle in hand, to take their
manly part in the coming fray. 1t
should have brought Maj. Burleigh too,
but that appropriately named non
combatant never showed outside. An
instant more and to the sound of rising
thunder, before the astonished eyes of
the cavalry line there burst into view,
full tear for safety, the uncouth, yet
marvelously swift-running leaders of
the little herd. The whole dozen came
flying across the sky line and down
the gentle slope, heading we'll around
to the left of the line of troopers, while
sticking to their TANKS like red net
ties half a dozen warriors rode like
the wind on their nimble ponies, crack
ing away with revolver or rifle in saw
age joy in the glorious sport. Too
much for Burleigh's nerve was the
combination of sounds, thunder of
hoofs and sputter of shots, for when
cheer of sympathetic delight went up
from the soldier line at the sight of the
chase, and the young engineer sprang
to the door of the ambulance to help
the major out, he found him limp and
CHASTITY heap, quivering with terror in
the bottom of the wagon, looking for
all the world as if he were trying to
crawl under the seat.
CHAPTER Nv.
Away to the left of the little COM
mand tore the quarry and the chase.
Out on the rolling prairie, barely four
hundred yards from where the ambu-
lance and, mules were backed into
tangle of traces and whifhetrees and
fear-stricken creatures, another buffa-
10 had dropped in heap; swarthy
rider had tumbled off his pony, cut a.
slash or two with ever-ready knife, and
then, throwing a bead-bedizened left
leg over his eager little mount, had
gone lashing away after his fellows,
not without jeering slap at the halt
ed soldiery. Then, in almost less time
than it takes to tell it, the pursued and
pursuers had vanished from sight over
q low ridge mile to the north. "Only
hunting party!" said one of the
nervous recruits, with gulp of, re-
lief. "Only a hunting party" gaspedi
Burleigh, as presently he heaved him
self up from the floor, :"and thought
I'd never find that damned gun OF
mine. AL this fuss for nothing!" he
continued, his lips still blue and quiv-
ering. "That green youngster up there
in front hasn't learned the first princi-
pies of plainscraft yet. Here, Brooks"
he added, loudly, ''it's' high. time. you
were looking after this sub Of yours"
and Brooks, despite his.illness, was in
deed working out ofthe back door ofhis
yellow trundle bed at the moment, and
looking anxiously about. But the en-
gineer stood pale and quiet, eoolly.
studying the fusteredl growler, and.
when, Burleigh's shifting eyes. sought
that young scientists face, what he
read there-and Burleigh was no fool
told him he would be wise to, change
the tune. The aid had pushed him in
front of the troop and was signaling to
Dean, once more, in saddle and scam
ming Through his. glass the big band
afar down the valley:
"Take my horse; sir" said the ser
| geant, dismounting, and the officer
thanked him and rods swiftly out. to,
join, the young commander at the
front. Together they gazed, and com
suited. and still no signal came. to re-
sumo the advance. Then the troopers.
saw the staff officer make a broad
sweep with his right arm to the south,
and in q moment Deans hat was up.
lifted and waved we'll out in that di-
rection.. drop carbine," growled the
sergeant. "BE twos again. Incline to-
the right. Damn, the Sioux, I sayl'
Have we got to circle five miles around,
their hunting ground for fear of hurt
ing their feelings? Come on, Jimmy"
he added to the driver Of the leading
wagon. Jimmy responded with Wig
orous language at the expense Of his
leading mules. The quartermaster and
engineer silently scrambled in; the
ambulance started with jerk and
away went the party of to the right
Of the trail, the wagons jolting q
bit now over the uneven clumps Of
bunch grass.
A -