Warren sheaf., 1903-07-30

adjutant pro tempore, as the effect
lot the sudden and unlocked for
change on certain of the customary
spectators. He had swiftly ridden
to the camp Of the recreants Stable
and purposely demanded speech with
that influential chieftain. There had
been the usual attempt on part Of the
old men left in charge to hoodwink
and an to temporize, but when sharply
told that Stabber, with his warriors,
had been seen riding away toward
Eagle Butte at three in the morning,
the sages calmly confessed udgment,
but declared that they had no other
purpose than hunt for drove 5of
elk reported seen about the famous
Indian race course in the lower hills
OF the Big Horn. Circling the camp,
however, Webb had quickly counted
the pony tracks across the still dewy
[jbunchgrass Of the bench, and found,
Schreiber's estimate substantially
correct. Then, stopping at the lodge
sofs Stabber's uncle, old Spotted
Horse, where that h superannuatedI
but still sagacious chief was squatted
on his! blanket and ostentatiously
putting q long Indian pipe, Webb de-
manded to know what young men re-
mained in the village. Over hundred
strong, old men, squaWs and children,
they thronged7 about him, silent, big-
eyed and attentive, Schneider inter-
preting as best he could, resorting to
the. well-known sign language when
the crafty Sioux professed Ignorance
sof the meaning Of his words 80,
No young men. All gone, 2: was the
positive declaration Of the venerable
head Of the bailiwick, when compelled
at last to answer. But Schreiber had
studied the pony herd and knew bet
ter. Moreover, not more than six Of
their ponies had been led along with
the war party that set forth in the,
early hours of the moonlit morning.
Others, both men and mounts, un-
avoidably left behind, would surely
be sent forward at the first possible
opportunity, and, much as Webb
might wish to turn back to capture /
the party, well as he might know that
other bands were in revolt and Stab
Der gone to help them, he was pow
erless under his orders to interfere
until by some openly hostile act these
laggards of the little band invited his
reprisal. The rule of the road, as.
prescribed by the civil authorities, to
which the soldier had sworn obedi-
ence, being practically, Don't defend
until you are hit. Dom shoot until
you are shot. 4..z.lL,,rssatsa-ta
Webb came cantering back assured /
that these frowsy, t1aalodorpus hodges
concealed, perhaps, half score Of !,
fighting men Who were a menace to
the neighborhood, and who could be
counted on to make it more than in
4teresting for any couriers that might
have to be sent between the fort and
the forces at the front. Calling
Schreiber to his side, as, with long,
easy stride their trained d-mounts went
loping swiftly homeward, he gave in-,
structions the veteran heard with !
kindling eyes. Then, parting from
him at the corrals, the commander
rode on and dismounted at his quar-
ters just as the trnmpeters were
forming on the broad, grassy level
of the parade.
.sa5 y It was the hour when all the girls
were out, looking fair and fresh as
daisies, and while, the mothers Sc
dately gossiped along the row of
broad verandas, their daughters
blithely chatted in little groups, or,
i as might often be, paced slowly with
downcast eyes and mantling cheeks
at the side of some young gallant who
had no thought for other duty than
that Of the thrilling moment. And
here they we're, Well-nigh a dozen Of
them, of all ages from 12 to 20, as the
major sent his mount to: the stables
and made quick survey of the scene,
and a moments glance was sufficient
to show that among them all there
was stir and excitement beyond that
which would be caused by so common
an incident as the sending forth Of a
troop on scout. It was the fact that
Field had gone and that young Ross
was acting in his place that set them
all to specializing on the cause, One
/ of their number, promenading with
Lieut.. Hartley, glanced up at MAI
Webb as. they passed him by, with
such a word Of mingled question and
reproach in her soft blue eyes that
his heart for the moment smote him.
He had never seen Esther Dade look
g II, Il 49,