The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-24

Thee days later. just at sundown. the
loungers at Sancho's were treated to
sensation. Up from the south. the old
Tucson trail. came. dusty. travel stained
and weary. half a troop OF cavalry, es-
corting apparently some parsonage OF DIS
tnction. for he was an object OF the
utmost care and attention on the part
OF the lieutenant commanding and every
man in the detachment. AS the caval-
cade approached the dun colored walls
OF the corral and without word or sign
10 the knot of curious spectators gather
ed at the barroom door filed away TO the
spot where wandering commands OF
horse were accustomed to bivouac for the
night Ctents would have been superfiuous
In that dry. dewless atmosphere) the
women, whispering together behind their
screened window place. stared the harder
at sight OF the leaders. One was Lieu
tenant Blake--no mistaking him the
longest legged man In Arizona. Another
was big Sergeant Feeney. a veteran VINO
had seen better days and duties, but
served his flag In the deserts of the GiIa
as sturdily as ever he fought along the
Shenandoah three years before.
Between these two, dapper, slender.
natty, with his hat set jauntily on one
side and his mustache and imperial
twirled to the proportions of toothpicks,
rode a third cavalier whom every one
recognized instantly as the fugitive OF
Camp Cooke. the urgently sought Cap
tain Nevins and though Nevins' arms
and legs were untrammeled by shackels
of any kind. II was plain TO see that he
was a helpless prisoner. He had parted
with his belt and revolver. His spurs
were ravished from his heels. and mis-
bride rein cut I'm two, was shared be-
tween Blake and his faithful sergeant.
Sandwiched between two troops was
a man whom Sancho's people well re-
membered as Nevins' clerk and assist
ant. despite the fact thai bushy beard
now covered the face that was smooth
shaved I'm the halcyor daya OF the sup
ply camp Then came some 30 horse
men in long. struggling columns of two-s,
while straight from the flank to the
gate of the corral. silent and even SOM
ber, rode the engineer. Lieutenant Lor-
ing. To him Sancho whipped off his
silver laced sombrero and bowed, while
two taded looking vaqueros, after one
long yet furtive stare, glanced quickly
at each other and sidled away TO the
nearest aperture I'm the wall OF the ranch.
which happened to the the dining room
door.
Loring mechanically touched his hat
brim I'm recognition OF the ranchkeeper's
obeisance. but there was no liking In his
eye. at the gate he slowly. somewhat
stlffly dismounted for II was evident
he had ridden long and far. The roam
with hanging head tripped eagerly yet
wearily TO his accustomed stall. and n
swarthy Mexican unloosed at once the
cincha and removed the horsehair bride.
Thus Sancho and the engineer were left
by themselves, though inuusitive rancn
folk sauntered to the gateway and peer
ed after them into the corral over at
the little clump of willows Blake's men
were throwing their carbines across their
shoulders and dismounting as they reacn-
ed the old familiar spot, Lord cast one
look thither before he spoke.
"Who were the two men who follow
ed me?" he calmly asked. and his eyes.
though red trimmed and infiamed by the
dust OF the desert, looked straight into
the dark face OF the aggrieved Sancho.
Surely know not, senior teniente."
He had dropped the captain" as 100
transparent iattery.
Don't lie, Sancho. There's ten more
dollars" and Loring tossed an eagle into
the ready palm. That's $50. and / shall
want that horse again in the morning"
Tomorrow, senior! Why he will not
be fit to go"
But 10 this observation Mr.. Loring
made no reply. Straight from Sancho's
side he walked down the corral, halted
behind two rangy. hard looking steeos
that showed the effects Of recent severe
usage and these hestudied coolly ana
thoroughly few minutes, while peering
from two narrow slits in the ranch wall
between the windows two sun tanned
frontiersmen as closely studied him.
With these latter peeping from the
shade window was"the wife of my broth
err" exchanging with them comments
In low, guarded tones.
In the adjoining room, bedroom,
girl OF perhaps is, slender, graceful and
dark eyed, peeped IN the opposite direc-
tion over toward the willows where
Blake's men were now unsaddling.
whence presently, with giant strides.
came Blake himself. stalking over the
sand.
Sancho, despite his anxious scrutiny Of
Lorings silent movements. saw the COM
ing officer and prepared his countenance
for smiles. But, with a face set and for
bidding, Blake went sternly by. taking
no notice OF the proprietor. and made al.
rectly for the little group now muttering
AT the dining room door. The loungers.
some OF whom had deserted the supper
table. for n sight of the captives and the
cavalcade. sidled right and left, as though
10 avoid his eyes, for into each face. most
Of them hangdog visages. he gazed sharp
Iy. as though i'm search of some one. vet
never faltered in his stride. Back from
her barred window shrank the young girl
as the tall soldier came within n dozen
PAGES To one side or another. smoke in
haling and striving TO look unconcerned.
edged the swarthy constituents OF the
group. and with never word To one Of
them, straight through their midst and
the doorway beyond, went Blake, catch
ing the three peppers, "the wife Of my
brother" and the brace Of palpable cut
throats at their loopholes. SO unexpect-
ed was the move that ~ had not even
occurred TO one OF the creatures at the
door to utter a word OF warning. SO
engrossed were the three In their scru-
tiny that Blake's entrance was unheard.
True, ne had discarded boots and
spurs. and his feet were encased in soft
Apache moccaslns. The floor. too was
earthern. but he made no effort at
stealth and In the gloom and shadow ot
the low rooted room it was for a moment
difficult TO distinguish the human fig-
ures against the opposite wall IL was
his ear that first gave warning. for low,
yet distinct, he heard the words:
''If he'd taken any horse but that
roam. OF knew less about riding. we'd