Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-07-19
CHAPTER VIII.

L
As day was breaking Lois was aroused
by a steady tramp of hoofs and an occa-
sonal jingle coming from a heavy bit,
uptossed by an impatient steed Going
10 her outer window, and peerng through
the blinds, she saw the troop of Semi
noles heading southwestward and riding
at trot. At their head was Harding,
and with him were all of the rancho Eng
lishmen, except Glynn, who remained to
see that the days work was done. They
climbed a hill smartly, and then dropped
over its summit, a long lipe that grew
rapidly shorter until the last rider was
hidden from sight All through that day
the rancho house lad its usual quiet. The
rough riders were never about the place
in the light hours at any season. Lessons
went on in the school room, the mistress
kept to her shaded room, with novel in
hand, and scent bottle close by, and the
servants came and went with as little
noise as possible AT the dinner hour
however, the continued absence of the
males made itself felt. For the first time
in many moons Mrs. Glynn did not dress
for the function. Her meal was served
in her apartment. Lois and the children
dined in the nursery and told each other
stories until bedtime
Meanwhile the ranchmen and regulars
had pursued a course parallel with the
river for ten miles and then swung in
toward it. They reached their destina-
ton by 10 o'clock and went into ambush
The place was well chosen. Ragged hills
rose all around them on which grew mes
quites and huisaches so thickly that pas
sage through them was made with diff
Guilty. A quarter of a mile from them
was the ford. At the base of the hill be-
hind whose summit they were encamped
ran a narrow trail, not more than ten
feet wide, twisting about among the hill
locks, leading to the river. The troops
commanded q view of this trail for a hun
dred yards to the eastward and for near
ly four hundred yards to the westward,
while they were invisible TO any one rid
ing or walking along it. To make as
surance doubly sure, two Of the black
scouts waited until dark and then tested
the ford. They found a narrow ridge of
rock and sand traversing the stream from
side to side and nowhere more than three
feet under water. They returned and
reported and Harding smiled The horses
had been herded half-mile away all
the sun had set and the swift twilight
closed, No fires had been built for the
cooking of dinner or supper. II was un-
derstood by the officers and the ranch
men that the Mexicans would cross be-
fore the moon rose at II o'clock, attempt
to ride out into the country gather such
cattle as they wished to steal and seek
TO recross into their own country before
daybreak. 1t was Harding's plan to per
nit them to come over and ride a little
way past the ambush, then charge down,
get between them and the river and en-
deavor to secure the entire band. Maude
suggested that they be first permitted to
gather the cattle and be attacked on
their return, as their flight would then
be impeded by the steers in their front,
but the Captain did not like the plan.
He feared that the smugglers might after
all recross by another ford, and If they
did they would get safely back into Mex
leo with all Of their booty.
At o'clock, there being no moon and a
light haze having covered the stars, the
night was so black that only the outlines
Of trees near at hand could be distin-
guished. Looking down into the hollow
was ike looking into a bottOmless pit. 1t
was a sea of ink from which no sound
arose. Occasionally horse ridden by an
Englishman would snort or move it's feet
restlessly, but the trained steeds of the
Seminoles stood as if carved from stone
The riders and horses showed like dark
statues dimly. They were used to the
work. Sitting erect in his saddle and
listening intently, Harding drew a cigar
from his pocket, bit off the end, held his
large sombrero closely before his face.
struck a match behind the shelter, blew
out the match before replacing his hat
and held the lighted end of his cigar
concealed in his hand.
Il must smoke" he muttered apollo
geticaIly. ''Damme I'd rather fight for
long day than sit here for two hours
without tobacco. l guess they're not
looking for us hard enough, however, 10
make it dangerous"
There was little talk between the white
men, and among the Seminoles not
loud sigh or whisper. An hour passed in
this way-an hour which seemed three
hours long. Upon more than one occa-
sion the troops had sat thus through
whole night with nothing bagged at the
end OF it.
'rAduF1lS IEOlH tHtII AlSDlt III the uITtE-
ton of the river, slight splashing was
heard. Each man unconsciously straight
ened little and each right hand dropped
70 the right side TO feel for the rev Oliver
IN its holster. There was a smut. neous
movement also Of each right knee, the
leg being depressed strongly for the com
Iortable touch Of the carbine running
along under the stirrup-leather.
At the far end of the trail where it
aeoouched into the river appeared a
shadow. something blacker than the
night and this shadow grew in length as
'le column climbed the bank and stretch
ed out along the hollow. They rode fear
-eSsly at a slow trot, evidently expecting
20 collision with anything more serious
nan herd of beeves. and with q good
4eal Of noise. There were some talk and
laughter, two or three Of them were
cumming songs and many cigarettes were
sung As they wound By the foot Of the
-'N' upon which the Seminoles were hid
- the haze overhead disappeared and
-1e stars shont out brilliantly. Harding