The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-06-06

strenm TOOK matters into fts own
hands and spared them all further
rouble on that score. distributing
camp and garrison equipage for long
leagues away 70 the east. Two miles
back, trooper Carey, who had been
complaining Of severe cramp and pain
in the stomach, begged TO be allowed
10 fall out and rest awhile. He was n
reliable old soldier when whisky was
not winning the upper hand. and this
time whisky was not at fault. A dose
of Jamaica ginger was the only thing
their field pharmacopoeia provided.
and Carey rolled out Of his saddle and
doubled up among the rocks with his
hands on the pit Of his stomach.
grimacipg.
"Go back II you think best. or come
ahead and catch us Mt the Springs 10
| well enough" were the orders left
him, while the men pushed on, and
now. as the lieutenant said. Carey was
coming himself. Some Of the party
were already DOING when the ser.
gcants sharp order "Sadulc up" was
given, but n glance at the lowering
sky explained IL all, and every man
was standing TO horse and ready when
the missing trooper came jogging in
among them, white, peaked, but de.
| tcrmined A look Of mingled disap.
pointment and relief appeared on his
| face MS he saw the preparations for
the start. but his only comment was:
IL can make IL, SIR" ms he saluted his
young commander. Less than two
hours from the time they unsaddled
therefore, the troopers once more
mounted, and. following their leader.
fled away down the winding gorge
Presently there came the low rui BILE
Of thunder, and sweep Of the r ing
| wind "Trot." said Dean. and without
other word the little column a. icE.
cncd the pace.
The ravine grew wider soon and far
less tortuous, but was still narrow
and dangerous spot. For mil" OF
two from the Springs it's course vas
nearly cast Of north. then N lore
away to the northeast. and the Sv ct.
wafer trail abruptly left 10 and went
winding up n cleft in the hills to the
west. just as they reached this point
the heavens opened and the clouds de
scended In a deluge of rain. Out c: ne
the ponchos, unstrapped from the I'D.
die. and every mans head porped
through the slit as the shiny black
"shedwatcr" settled down on his
shoulders.
"Thnt outfit behind us will &c,
soaking IL 1t has been fool enough 10
follow down TO the Springs" said
Carey 70 the sergeant. as they be- an
the pull up the slippery trail.
what outft?" asked Dean. turning
In the saddle and looking back in sur.
prise.
a binding fash OF lightning. fol.
lowed almost on the instant by the
crack and roar OF tbundey, put sum.
mary stop to talk of any kind. Men
and horses bowed their heads before
the deluge and the rain ran in streams
from the names and tails. The AS
ccnding path turned quickly into a
rnnning brook and the black forms
OF steeds and riders struggled sidcwise
up the grass-grown slopes in search
of higher ground. The heavens had
turned inky black. The gloomy ra-
vine grew dark as night. Flash after
fash the lightning split the gloom.
Every second or two trooper faces
CLEANED ghastly in the dazzling glare,
then as suddenly vanished. Horses
slipped or stumbled painfully aud,
man after man, the riders followed
the example Of the young soldier in
the lead and, dismounting, led their
/ q. fn hn tas o.,
incline. Halfway TO the summit.
peering through the wind-swept
sheets of rain, a palisadcd clump Of
rocks juttci out from the heights
and. after hard climb. the little
. band found partial shelter from tn"
driving storm, and huddled. awe
stricken, at their base. Still the
lghtning played and the thunder can
nonaded with awful resonance from
crag to crag down the deep gorge
from which they had clambered, evil
identity none too soon, for presently,
far down the black depths, they could
see the Box Elder under white
wreath OF foam. tearing In fury down
lis narrow bed.
BEG pardon. lieutenant" shouted
the veteran sergeant In the young
commanders ear, even in that mo.
n,cnt never forgetting the habiiual
salute. "but IL | didn't see the reason
FOR that sudden order to saddle
more than see il now. We would have
been drowned like rats down there in
, the gulch."
I'm wondering II anybody has
, drowned like rats" shouted Dean, IN
reply. Carey says another party was
, just behind 1is. Who could they be-
but for answer came another vivid
dazzling flash that for an instant
: n stunner!" gnsped n big trooper, aud
then followed the deafcning bang and
crash of the thunder, and its echoes
, went booming and rcverberating from
/ earth to heaven and rolling away
, peal after peal. down the blun.bonnd
, canyon. For % moment no other
sound could bc heard; then, as II
! died away and the rain came swash,
ing down In fresh deluge, Cnrey's
voice oycrmastcred the storm.
That's struck something, sir, right
around yonder by the Springs. God
4 help that outfit that came a-gallopin'
, after mel"
, "What was Il? Which way were
they coming?' Dean managed to ask.
, fright along the bluff, sir, TO the
east. Seemed like they was ridin' over
from the old camp on the Frayne
read. There was 25 or 30 OF 'em,
| should say, coming ut q lope."
"Cavalry?" asked Dean, n queer look
+ In his face.
"No, sir. They rode dispersed like,
I They was mile away when sighted
. them, and II was gittin' SO black then