Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-06
every kind, and for months the Sioux

were starving.
1t was the sight Of the fresh hoof
prints of fourscore ponies that settled
all question of rest at the rivulet in the
mind of Captain Ray. Men, said he,
81 hate to wear you out, but before an /
other sunrise we must circumvent these |
fellows, or it's all up with the tourists"
There were Irish troopers in the lead
ing four who loved to talk of the Clan
ma Gael and home rule for Erin and
death to "England's cruel red when |
time hung heavy on their hands in
camp or barrack, but that seemed all
forgotten now. Like the famous Maver-
ioks, they only talked Of mutiny when
no other fighting was to be done. Only
the horses seemed to groan at the COM
mand to mount, and once more on went
the sorrels au secours
An hour after nightfall, in the bright
light of the climbing moon, they had
splashed through another shallow, foam
ing stream in another and narrower rift
among the hills, two veteran sergeants,
with Ray and Hunter, we'll out in front,
when just as the foremost, shadowy
form, rode warily to a little point of
bluff 800 yards ahead Rays gauntleted
hand swung high his scouting hat in
air, as half turning in saddle he signal
ed "Halt!" for the leader rider was
gesticulating wildly, and Sergeant Con-
ners came galloping back.
"Treed 'em, by God, STRIP he cried,
in excitement irrepressible. "They'v
In, nan
'em plain"
Yes, faint, but distinct, beating
quicker every minute, the weird throb
of the war drum could be heard, and
with it the shrill whoop and yell Of ex-
cited dancers
"Then you're right, Hunter"
promptly spoke the captain. "That can
mean only one thing. They've located
the party over in Keogh's park, just
where you said they'd pitch their camp,
and these beggars mean to jump them
at dawn. Wen show EN- trick worth
ten of that, won't we, DixieF' he con-
tinued, patting the neck of the game
1 little sorrel he rode. "What blessed
luck that they should stop to celebrate"
Slowly, cautiously, the shadowy
troop led forward to a grove of pines
not far from the waters edge and close
to the sheltering bluff beyond which the
warriors were having their iollification.
There they waited, breathless, the sound
of revelry gaining every minute on the
night. Taking Corners and Hunter with
him, Ray crept forward to reconnoiter
he and his sergeant veterans in the
craft, Hunter novice, whose heart beat
wildly, but who never faltered.
Fast and furious drove the dance.
Loud and shrill arose the whoops and
warcries, dying away at times like the
yelp of prairie wolves to faint and dis
tant gurgling, then swelling again like
the chorus Of hounds in full view of the
quarry. Drum, rattle and piercing
whistle added to the clamor, eehoet
SACK from the dark, pine crested cliffs
that overhung this wild nook in thu
hills. Fresh fagots heaped upon the fire
Is threw the dusky, writing forms, re
splendent ia war bonnet and savage
fnery, into bold relief, and Rays BRAY,
heart almost sank within him as ht
counted. Ponies they could not see, fo
they were herded farther up the GOV,
beyond the fire, but every indication
pointed to there being we'll nigh 10'
we'll armed warriors right there within
revolver shot, while others doubtles
lowered like watchful spies about tn
unsuspecting camp beyond the range.
1--WE could never get past them with
out discovery, muttered the captain
finally. We're far too few to driv
them. How far is it back down the val
ley and around to the park?''
'tNot less than 40 miles, sir, !" answer
ed Hunter, Though it can't be NOR
than six or seven over the old gam
trail across the range. +"
Then" said Ray. "there's nothin
for it but to send brace of men up til
heights afoot to warn the camp befor
daybreak, while the troop hangs on
their heels.
1t was barely O'Clock now. and hig
aloft on the northern side of the gorge
glistening white, the cliffs brok
through the somber fringe of pine an
shone like silver in the moonlight
Somewhere ahead of the watchers in ii
black depths of the westward end OF I'll
o deep ravine an old game trail woun
! and twisted up the mountain side ov'
q into the beautiful park beyond. Hunt'
we'll remembered and had traced it
% his notes. Over this trail Lord Lun
n mouths joyous party had evident
= gone. Over this the Indian scouts ha
. tracked him. Over this the war par
:. doubtless meant to follow in time
= make their dash at daybreak. Over thi
= neck or nothing, warning must be sen
: and the intermediate ground was
completely occupied by the Indians tn
y cavalry could not hope to slip by und
= tected. 1t could only be attempted
" daring fellows afoot
:, And the first man to speak out Wit
!, in few words Ray explained the stu
y !. tion to the troop was that incorrigih
~ sascal, the Kid. "I'm game to go, sir.
: "Good for one, said Ray.
= "Here's another, sir. I" And here
~ "And here,' came in low tone fro
% half dozen in the wearied troop, b
AZ Ray waited for still another voice, u