The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-09-25
/ THE RETURN OF
* ALTOONAH. *
#HEgIA9M5 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES NRN5E
by LUCY BAKER JEROME.



n STRETCH of barren sand, cactus
II barred, haze-blurred with heat;
the faint blue simmer of foothills on
the edge of the horizon, and above
them grim, gaunt ridges of the noun
tain lands, rising in giant chaos, steep
on steep.
A solitary figure on the edge of the
vast salt basin of the desert dragged
itself YEARLY to where the mule team
lay painting in the dust, and drawing
his sheath knife, cut the traces clean
ly at the ends. The animals stared
duly at him with glazed eyes, and the
Indian, rising to his superb height,
scanned the lava sands from under
lowering brows. He had driven fast
and far across those burning sands, and
the mules had paid the penalty of his
escape. Far to the left in a haze of
blue steel rays lay the Indian reser-
walton, but only the white desolation
of the salt depression broke the dead
level of the plain.
The pack wagon. left to itself, stood
m%otionless, an ominous portent to the
eye, and the Indian, with a last sweep
ing glance about him. plunged dog
gedly forward through the brilliant
glare.
Within the reservation vas excite
ment, all the more felt because it was
suppressed. The older troopers were
grimly buckling on their saddles in
obedience to the curt order TO company
"A, while the less seasoned men and
raw recruits were swearing blindly at
q government which would send out
60 men for a loose Indian on a day
like this.
Hell stop at Pascas all right"
vouchsafed Hinton, a keen trailer and
sure shot, whose opinions were gen
orally respected.
"Pascas be bowed" spoke up the
opposition man of the troop, Putnam,
who opposed on principle every state
ment that was made, and who spent
his time in e~ndeayoring to catch III
with quicker minds.
"He WILL persisted Hinton. "That
girl-what's her name? Altoonah-
she's down there, and Eagle Vino
knows it. Mighty fine girl she was
too: Eagle Winds just loco to see her.
he added in lower tones.
who are you talking about? Tha'
girl Altoonah?" gruf1y asked a thirt
man, turning in his saddle as he can
tered easily by. "She's going to b.
married-Kirkham down at the post
Know him, any of you fellows"
The men were in their saddles now
and the mustangs were covering tn
country with the long. easy lope 0
the cavalry mount. 1t was two in tn
afternoon, and the hot, white sand wa
unbearable.
:Jingo!" exclaimed one of tn
troopers, slackening his rein as h
gazed woefully ahead, where for mile
and miles lay the interminable glisten
ing sands. 81 wouldn't take this chas
again for the biggest Indian in tn
country. Why not let him loose, any
how? What's the odds?"
"He'd make mischief responded tn
other curtly. 1--WE won't find him any
way. He's had two days start. Nea,
wasn't it. the way he unanswered t
get to the salt basin, and then wake
off
HE was A Number 1 UP to tn
time he left" commented Hinton, rid
ing up alongside. ssbnt when he gets t
Guaymas there'll be the devil to pa,
Wouldn't care to cross Eagle Wind mJ
self just now" he ended, smiling grim
ly.
AT seven the captain ordered a hal
Shading his eyes with his soft cavalr
hat he looked long and searchingly i
every direction. Then he waved
gauntleted hand toward the troop.
hack to the reservation, boys b
sai&s gioomiiy.
The little town OF Pascas lay quie
III ne Observation-Disclosures . shado'
em1 kged from n Of its narrow. Ill
~ d streets only to lose itself In tn
dee Ier shadow Of an archway. Feelin
tts akay cautiously aIong the rougf
ade i66nases. the shadow reached
IN 1hsre i wayered. hesitatee
Sstn musical tinkle Of q sui
fSf M audible, and close At han
ail1 4 60K. suddenly developed Int
AN ESsxa &%gss a016ssiSids1i fSf S2H h%