Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-03-22

my God, mani" cried the post COM
mander, as he came hurrying out to
meet the party, we've been in a blue
funk about you fellows for two whole
days. Did you see any Indians? ?"
'.See any Indians!" said Burleigh, raj
lying to the occasion, as became
man who knew how to grasp an oppor-
tunity. eve stood off the whole Sioux
nation over toward Crazy Wo1nan's
fork. There were enough to cover the
country, red and black, for dozen
miles. We sighted them yesterday
about four o'clock, and there were
enough around us to eat us alive, but
we just threw out slxirmish lines and
marched steadily ahead, so they
thought best not to bother us. They're
shy of our breech-loaders, damn 'em!
That's all that kept them at respectful
distance"
The majors face as he listened took
on a puzzled, perturbed look. He did
not wish to say anything that might
reflect on the opinions of SO influential
a man as the depot quartermaster at
Gate City, but it was plain that there
was a train of thought rumbling
through his mind that would collide
with Burleigh's column of events unless
he were spared the need of answering
questions. "Let me tell you briefly
what's happened" he said. "Red
Cloud and his whole band are out on
the warpath. They killed two couriers,
half-breeds, I sent out to find Thorn
tons troop that was scouting the Dry
Fork. The man we sent to find you
rot o1-
at all. We've had double sentries for
three days and nights. The only souls
to get in from the northwest since our
fellows were run back last night are
old Folsom and Baptiste. Folsom had
a talk with Red Cloud and tried to in
duce him to turn back. He's beset with
the idea that the old. villain is plotting
a general massacre along the Big Horn.
He looks like ghost. He says if we
had 5000 soldiers up there there'd
hardly be enough. You know the Sioux
have sworn by him for years, and he
thought he could coax Red Cloud to
keep away, but all the old villain would
promise was to hold his young men
back ten days or so until Folsom could
get the general to order the Warrior
Gap pan abandoned. If the troops are
there Folsom says it's all up with them.
Red Cloud can rally all the northern
tribes, and it's only because of Folsom's
influence, at least I fancy so-that-
that they Didn't attack you"
where is Folsom?" growled Bur-
leigh, as he shook the powdery cloud
from his linen duster and followed the
major within his darkened door, while
other officers Hospitality led the aid
and engineer into an adjoining hut.
'Gone right on to Frayne. The old
fellow will wear himself out, I'm afraid.
He says he must get in telegraphic
communication with Omaha before he's
four days older. My heaven, man, it
was q narrow squeak you had! It's
Gods mercy Folsom saw Red Cloud be-
fore he saw you"
"Oh, pshaw!" said the quartermas-
ter. turning over little packet of let
tiers awaiting him in the commanding
officers sanctum- eve could have given
a good account of ourselves, I reckon.
Brooks is down with fever, and young
Dean got ratified, or something like it.
He's new at the business and easily
scared, you know; so practically had
to take command. They'll be along in
an hour or so, and-a word in your ear:
If Brooks has to remain on sick re-
port you'd better put somebody in
command of that troop that's hadEer
-er-eXperience."
The post commander looked genuine
ly troubled. ''Why, Burleigh, we've
all taken quite a shine to Dean. 1
know the officers in his regiment think
heap of him; the seniors do, at least"
But Burleigh, with big eyes, was glar-
ing at letter he had selected, opened
| and was hurriedly reading. His face
was following again, under the blister
of sun and alkai.
whats amiss?" queried his friend.
Nothing wrong, I hope. Why, Bur-
leigh, man! Here, let me help you'll" he
cried, in alarm, for the quartermaster
was sinking into chair.
You can help mel" he gasped. SECT
me fresh mules and escort. My God!
1 must start for Frayne at once. Some
whisky. please" And the letter
dropped from his trembling hands and
| lay there unnoticed on the floor.
CHAPTER v.
| Mid June had come, and there was
the very devil to pay = SO said the
scouts and soldiers up along the Big