The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-30

back, to find that officer with his valise
rolled in blanket md used as a bolster.
while the owner li.y on his back gazing
dreamily up at the stars trooper was
silently making down the bedding OF the
other officers. The sand was soft and
dry; no camp fire was needed. no tent, no
mattress. All four were hardened cam
paigners. and the night was warm and
dewless.
For moment or two Blake fidgeted
about, Good wine and cigars were as
acceptable 10 him as TO anybody. II was
Sancho and Sancho's brother he could not
stomach, and he would not be beholden
TO either.
you can think OF nothing else In the
way OF precaution. Loring?' he presently
asked as he threw himself down beside
him. putting at his little brier root.
Nothing"
1T would take a nervier gang than
Arizona owns TO try to rob this outfit"
and Blake looked complacently around
among the shadowy forms OF the troop
ers fitting about the bivouac.
I'VE are all right so long as we've got
you and your men" said Loring quietly.
We'll there's no order that can come
In time TO take US away from you, old
man. III send one platoon ahead at day
break to camp half way and they'll be
fresh to ride into Yuma with you Sun
day morning"
Loring nodded appreciatively.
From the open doorway OF the ranch
came the faint clnk OF glasses and the
murmurous flow OF voices Presently the
boom OF the veterans jovial laugh
sweled the "concourse Of sweet sounds, -
and Blake stirred uneasiy.
Wonder what that old thief is giving
them7" muttered he. "Uncle Bily's
telling his bear story"
A quarter of an hour passed The in
had " hafo a.,I
horizon. The sounds OF joviality in
creased. and Blake's mouth watered
Dash those heartless profigatesT' he
muttered. Reckon I'll have to go and
reconnajter. You don't mind being left
to your own reflections. Loring7"
go ahead" said Loring. and so pres
emily the tall. shadowy form OF tine
longest legged officer in Arizona" was
dlmly seen stalking forth from the gloom
OF the willows and threading Its way
through the open starlight townrd the
bright and welcoming doorway OF the
ranch. Only one or two OF the usual
loungers had been seen about the prem
ises since the cavalry came I'm. Sancho
and his brother were practically desti-
tute OF other guests than the officers
whom they were entertaining. Slowly
and more slowly did the lieutenant saun-
ter open cared toward the scene OF rev.
elry.
More than half the distance had ne
gone when suddenly from another and
smaller clump of willows below the
ranch there came floating on the still
night, faint and cautious. the musical
tinkie OF gujlar and then soft and iur-
Ing. yet neither sweet nor sllvery. the
voice Of a girl was timidly unified In
song. Blake knew II at once THE
daughter Of my brother was out there in
the willows, a most unusual thing. Blake
remembered how her eyes had spoken 20
him twice before-how she had thrown
herself upon him the night OF Higgins
arrest Could u be. was II possible. that
sho was signaling 20 him now7
Much as his curiosity and interest had
previously been aroused by tho occasional
peeps he had had at this attractive little
Mexican girl. the events Of that night
had intensified them. True, Il was a mo-
nent Of thrilling excitement. Higgins.