The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-05-17
CHAPTER XIII.

dren from Warriors Gap, most of them
bereaved, all of them unnerved by the
experiences of that awful day, arrived
at Fort Frayne, escorted by strong
command Of infantry and all that was
left Of the cavalry troop at the stock
ade. A sad procession 1t was as 1t slow
~ forded the Platte and assembled the
winding road to the post, where sor-
rowing, sympathetic army women met
and ministered TO them. With them,
too, came such of the wounded as could
be moved, and at the head of the little
squad Of horse rode Lieut.. Dean,
whom the post commander and several
officers greeted almost effusively.
Yet almost the first question was:
did you see any Indians7"
"Not one" answered Dean. ''They
seem to have drawn away from the Big
Horn road entirely. Why do you ask ?"
he added, anxiously.
There were signal fires out at
Eagle Butte last night, and I've just
had letter from old Folsom at the
ranch on the Laramie. He begs us to
send a guard at once, and / haven't
a horseman. There's been the devil
to pay at young Folsom's place"
Deans face went a shade paler.
Whats happened?" he asked.
"A dozen of his best horses run off
by Birdsalps gang, probably to re-
place those they lost in the food, and
Hal himself was shot and left for
dead in the hills. He'd died but for
an Ogallalla girl and couple of half
breeds who had hunting-lodge out
near the Peak. There are letters for
you at the Office"
There were two-one from Loomis,
at Emory; one from Jessie, OF all
places In the world, at Folsom's
ranch. This he read first.
1--WE got here late night before last, after
such an exciting journey, Marshall dear"
said she, land 1 can't begin to tell you
all the strange things that have happened,
for Mr.. Folsom says the messenger must
start for Fort Frayne In twenty minutes
That villain, Maj. Burleigh, who dared to
speak Ill Of you, turned out to be as bad
as ever said he was. They haven't caught
him yet, but they've Got Capt. Newhall.
411s OioOH MI. ldOIiAk Qtu LnAl--
caught him in the back yard Of our house.
down by the gate, and In some way Mrs.
Fletcher induced him to come there, for
he had the key to the safe at the quar-
termaster's depot, and was going to get
the money Mai. Burleigh dared not take
when he fed. l can't understand IT at
all, and Pappoose doesn't like to talk about
1t. But Mr.. Folsom was robbed of lots OF
money by Maj. Burleigh. Mrs. Fletcher
Is mixed up in 1t IN such queer way,
can't explain now. She was nearly crazy
when we came away and Mr.. Folsom was
so good and kind to her, left nurse with
her, and made her stay at the house, al
though she wanted to pack her things and
go to the hotel or the jan. she didn't care
which; but he wouldn't let her.
''And right in the midst of 1t all Ned
who came with news before, gall
loped In to tell how Halbert Folsom had
been missing two days. and Mrs. Folsom
was crazy with fear, so Mr.. Folsom left
Lieut.. Loring to attend to all the mat
ters about the robbery and started at once
for the ranch, and Pappoose, OF course, In
sisted on going with him, and would not
be left behind. And here we are. Now
can see the hills where you had the fight
and wore Elinor's picture, and 1t was right
put there among them that Halbert was
found. Horse thieves had run of his best
horses-the same gang of murderers that,
they say, planned to trap you and that
you outwitted. Obi Marshall, was ever
q girl SO proud of her brotherl--and they
shot Hal and he was found and taken
rare of by some Indian people, tame ones,
and one was girl, Lizette, who had fallen
In love with him four years ago. Wasn't
Is romantic2 And she's gone again, but
Hal is safe here, although Mrs. Folsom Is
more than half-orazy and now old Mr..
Folsom is worried TO death, and says we
must start back for home tomorrow. It's
twenty-five miles, and we don't want to |
30 at all, only I'm so eager to see you. and
heard-at least Mr.. Loomis told me you'd
be back any day, and he has your troop
I'LL you come. and he's SO fond Of YOU
Oh, here's Pappoose to say this must go
1t once"
The colonel sat watching the young
fellow as he read. bad news, Dean?"
le queried
Every kind Of news, sir. It's all
! whirl. The devil seems to have
broken loose in Wyoming. Let me
kim through LOOMS note"
Dear Dean: In case the letter sent yes
erday passes you on the way. ] add line
bout Loring when we were In the corps. I |
AXE 1t back. thought him prig when
We wore the gray, He rather held US
lnder,' anyhow, being a class ahead, you
nov, but the way he has panned out herS
md wiped up Wyoming with the only men
ever knew that tried to wrong you is
imply wonderful He's nabbed three of
he Birdsall gang and Is away now after
3urleigh. The news from Folsoms ranch
. more reassuring. Hal was shot by horse
hieves who were running of stock. and
vas found and taken care of by friendly |
indians, but Mrs. Hal had an awful scare
md sent for the old man, who went, OF
young ladies going with him.
hey were miles away before we knew OF
at the fort. I tried to persuade old Peck
niff that he ought to let me go with twenty
roopers to guard the ranch and scout the
laramie, and he threatened to put me In
rrest. or all the double-dashed, pig-head-
old idiots he's the worst. / don't want
eople at the ranch to be scared, but II
he Sioux only would make some demon
tration this way that would give me
nance, I'd try to earn a little Of the rep
tation that you're winning. old boy, and
o man knows better how much you de-
erve 1t than
Your friend and classmate, HANK L."
Up. STORING took ten OF the troop into
he Black Hills to beat up Burleigh but
% said II they struck Indian sign he meant
0 make for Folsom's ranch. Now. If we
SuAu otliy nioct AbeESi
The sun was well down at the
rest. The days march had been long
nd tedious, as only cavalry marches
re when long wagon trains have to
e escorted. Dean had not yet fully
covered strength, but anxiety lent
i'm energy.
IF Mr.. Folsom says there is need
{ cavalry guard at the Laramie, it
} because he breads another Indian
isit, colonel. i have nine men in
God shape. Our horses are fresh, or
ill be after few hours rest. May
push on to-night?"
And TO the young soldiers surprise
be elder placed trembling hand
pom his shoulder and looked him
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