The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-17

Then came the careful grooming of
their mounts, then dip In the cool wa
ters. the smoking tins OF soldier coffee
and sizzling slips OF bacon. Then again
the saddle and the silent trail. with the
moon looking down from the zenith on
their warlike array. Heavily armed was
every man. each. even the Lieutenant,
with carbine and brace OF Colts, and on
they rode through the still. soft night
air, chatting In low tones, no man know
ing'eut every one believing that the taci-
turn. plue eyed young officer I'm the lead
was heading them for a lair OF the Bird
sail gang. 1t was too far south just then
for Sioux.
Another moon and they had crossed DUR
ing the dark hours the broad plains OF
the Laramie and were winding up among
the hills. Another rest and SURFING from
the rear there overlook them a brons.o
weather beaten frontiersman whom Mr..
Lorfng greeted without show OF surprise,
ana when again they moved on II was ne
who rode at the lieutenants left up, up
winding trail among tho frowning
heights until just as every man was won
dering when on earth they could hope
for bite the noiseless signal 20 halt
was given, while the leader dismounted
and peered over a shoulder OF BLUM ahead.
held brief consultation, then down tne
ravine TO the left rode the stranger, ana
back 10 his men came Loring, his eyes
kindling.
There Is a camp half a mile ahead
where / have TO make an arrest" said
he quietly. Keep close at my heels
Well have TO gallop when we get IN
view. Draw pistol. Don't fire unless
they do. They probably won't
And they didn't. Half a dozen startled
men. gambling about a blanket; two or
three sleeping off drunk and one hunt
ed haunted wretch nervously pacing up
and down among the pines were no match
for the dash OF a dozen bluejackets COM
ing laundering into view. There was no
thought OF fight. Those who could catch
their horses threw themselves astrids
bareback and shot for the heart OF the
hills; two or three scrambled OF afoot
and were quickly run down; one a heav-
fly built. haggard, hollow eyed man.
shook from head to foot as the lieutenant
reined UP his painting and excited horse
and coolly saIu:
You are my prisoner. Burleigh-"
Nor was there attempt at rescue.
Mounting his four captlves on their
horses. their feet lashed to tho stirrups,
their hands bound, all the abandoned
arms, ammunition and provisions de-
stroyed and the camp burned. Loring
led promptly away up the range toward
the porth until clear OF timber. then
down the westward slope toward the
Laramie valley once more. searching for
a secure place TO bivouac. Far TO the
nOrln the grand OIu peak lOOmed against
the blue gray OF the Wyoming skies. on
TO their left front. uplifting a shaggy
crest from its surrounding hills "a boId
buttee toward fully 20 miles away. and
toward that Jagged landmark Loring saw
his sergeant peering time and again with
hand shaded eyes.
What do you seer" he presently asked.
Smoke. sir. / think Will the lieuten-
ant look with his glass?"
Silently Loring unslung his binocuiar
and gazed. His eyes were keen. but un-
trained. Take IL yourself. sergeant"
he said And the veteran trooper refined
out to one side and peered long and stead
fly, then came trotting up TO the head OF
column. doubt and suppressed excitement
mngling on his weather beaten face.
IT couldn't be sure. sir. butt looK-
ed for n minute like smoke"
And that means'-
indian signals. sir That's Eagle butte.
only a couple OF miles from Hal Folsom's
ranch"
Loring pondered. II was long since. in
any force. the Sioux had ventured south
OF the Platte. but now, after their VIC
tory at Warrior Gap and the tremendous
reinforcement they had received from
all the turbulent tribes, what was TO pre-