The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-09-30

AASA0 AO 4u1ShiJ AoCuSSSu lis grass
and gazed away westward up the
Platte to where but the evening be-
fore score of Indian lodges dotted
the other bank, perhaps two miles
away. The September moon was at
its full and, in that rare, cloudless
atmosphere, flooding the valley with
it's soft, silvery light so that close
at hand, within the limits of the. gar
rison, every object could be almost
as distinctly seen as in broad day.
light, but, farther away. over the low
lands and the river bottom and the
rolling prairie stretching to the north
ern horizon, the cottonwoods along
the stream or in the distant swales
made only black blotches against the
vague, colorless surface, and the bold
bluffs beyond the reservation limits
south of the flashing waters, the
sharp, sawlike edge of the distant
mountain range that barred the way
to the west, even the cleancut out
lines of Eagle Butte, the landmark Of
the northward prairie, visible for SO
miles by day, were now all yelled in
some intangible filament that screen
cd them from the soldiers searching
gaze. Later in the season, on such
a night, their crests would CLEAN
with radiance ALMOST intolerablc, the
glistening sheen of their spotless
crown of snow. All over this broad
expanse of upland prairie and wood
ed river bed and boldly undulating
bluff line not so much as spark of
fire peeped through the wing of night
to tell the presence of human way
farer, white, halfbreed or Indian,
even where the Sioux had swarmed,
perhaps 200 strong, at sunset of the
day gone by.
1t was to Ray he promptly opened
his heart, as that veteran of dozen
Indian campaigns, then drawing his
fourth ''fogy," came Fastening out to
join the commander.
Here's confirmation of the tele-
gram. Read that, Ray" said Webb,
handing him the dispatch from Fort
Beecher. Then come with me to
Fields. He's-missing."
"Missing:" cried Ray, in constcrna-
ton, as he hurriedly opened the page.
I'm Gods name what do you mean?"
81 mean. he isn't in quarters and
hasn't been in bed tonight. Now 1
need him-and it's two O'clock
Lame Wolf out? That's bad in it.
self! Hes old Red Clouds nephew
and brute at best. Stabber's peo-
pie there yet?" he suddenly asked,
whirling on his heel and gazing west
ward.
Cant make it out even with my
glasses. All dark as pitch among the
cottonwoods, but Kennedy, who made
the ride, says he saw smokes back
of Eagle Butte just before sunset
"Then you can bet they won't be
there at dawl-the warriors at least.
OF course the women, the kids and
old men will stay if only for blind.
He had 40 fighting men, and VOLTS
got at least ZOO What started the
row?"
"Thc arrest of those two young
bucks on charge of Killing Finn, the
sheep herder, on the Piney last week.
l don't believe the Sioux began it.
There's bad lot among those
damned rustlers,' said Webb. snap
ping the glass into its well-worn case.
But no matter who starts, we have
to finish it. Old Plodder is worried
and wants help. Reckon I'll have to
send you, Ray"
Ready whenever you say, SIR"
was the prompt and soldierly reply.
Even marriage had not taken the
edge from Rays keen zest for cam
paigning. Shall / have out my SER
gcant and cooks at once? Well nee1
to take rations."
Eyes, but wait with me till l wire
the chief at Laramie. Come to the
Office So saying the post commands,
turned and strobe away. The cap.
tain glanced at the upper window
where the light now dimly burned,
but blind and window were open, and
a womans form appeared.
Its all right, Maidie," called the
captain, softly. May have to start
all. Home soon," and with reas-
surfing wave of the hand, turned
again to his stanch friend and COM
mander.
Il hate to send you-again," said
! Webb. You We're out in June, and
the others have had only short scouts
since"
Don't bother. What's cavalry
man for? Shall we? -I-can't be-
lieve it-some how" and Ray stopped,
glanced inqniringly at the major, and
then nodded toward the doorway of
the third house on the row. The
ground floor was occupied by Field
as his quarters, the up-stair rooms
by Putney and Ross.
Come in" said the major, briefly,
and, pushing through the gate, they
softly entered the dark hallway and
struck a light in the front room. A
wood fire was smouldering on the
andirons in the wide brick chimney
place. An open book, face downward,
was on the center table. Two en-
broidered slippers lay as though hur-
riedly kicked off, one under the sofa
beyond the mantlepicce, the other
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