Warren sheaf., 1903-08-13

blake and his men had gone far in
= s1nat 1ili direction. Two Of their num-
per, with horses too slow for chase
after ter. nimble ponies. had, as we have
seen, seen, drlfted ri back, and joined, unpre-
pared though they were for the field,
the rear of Webb's column. But now
came another, not aiming for Webb,
but heading for Frayne. It meant
news from the chase that might be
important. It would take him but
little from the direct line to the
north, why not meet him and hear?
Kennedy reined to the right, riding
slowly now and seeking the higher
level from which he could command
the better view. sas IF
At last they neared each other.
the little Irish veteran, sore headed
and in evil mood, and a big, wild
eyed. scare-faced trooper new to the
1rontler, squirting homeward with
panic In every feature, but rejoicing
at sight of comrade soldier. =,
Git back; git back!" he began to
shout, as soon as he got within hail
ing distance. There's million In
dlans just over the ridge. They've
got the captain" ~ q .....
|. What captain % yelled Kennedy,
all ablaze at the instant. ''Spake up,
ye shiverin' loon!''
Blake! He got way ahead of us
Then it's to him you should be
runnin, not home, ye cur! Turn
about now: Turn about or. MI -
And in fury Pat had seized the
other's rein, and, spurring savagely
at kllmaine-both horses instantly
waking, as though responsive to the
wrath and fervor of their little mas
ter-he fairly whirled the big troop
er around and, despite fearsome pro-
tests, bore him onward toward the
ridge, swift questioning as they rode.
How came they to send a raw rookie
on such quest? Why, the rookie
gasped in explanation that he was on
stable guard, and the captain took
the first six men in sight. How hap
Pened it that the captain got so far
ahead of him? There was no keeDin'
up with the captain. He was on his
three Indians that was firm, and had
hit Meisner, but there was still three
OF the troop to follow him, and the
captain ordered 'come ahead" until
all OF sudden, as they filed round
a little knoll the three Indians they'd
been chasin' turned about and let
en- have it, and down went another
horse, and Corporal Feeney was killed
sure, and he, poor young rookie, saw
Indians in every direction, comm
straight at EN- and what else could
he do but gallop for homeland help?
All this, told with much gasping on
his paSt, and heard with much bias
Phemy by Kennedy, brought the
strangely assorted pair at swift
gallop over the springy turf back
! along the line of that panicky, yet
most natural retreat. Twice would
the big fellow have broken away and
again spurred for home, but the little
gamecock held him savagely to his
work, and 50, together, at last they
| neared the curtaining ridge. "Eow,
I damn you!" howled Kennedy, .Whip
out your carbine and play you're
man till we see what's in front! an
If ye play false, the first shot from
this barker with slap at the butt
of his Springfield, 'goes through your
heart" j. -a~' "~
And this was what they saw as, to-
gether, they rounded the hillock and
came in view Of the low ground be-
beyond. a ..-
Halfway down the long, gradual
slope, in shallow little dip, possibly
an old buffalo wallow, two OF: three
horses were .sprawled and tiny
tongue of flame and blue smoke,
splitting over. the broad, brown backs,
told that some one, at least, was on
the alert and defensive Out on the
prairie, 300 yards beyond, a spotted
Indian pony, heels up, was rolling on
the turf, evidently sorely wounded.
Behind this rolling parapet crouched
a feathered warrior, and farther still
away, sweeping and circling on their
mettlesome steeds, three more savage
braves were darting at speed. AL
ready they had sighted the coming re-
inforcements, and while two seemed
frantically signalling toward the
northwest, the third whirled his
horse and sped madly away in that
direction.
Millions, be damned" yelled Ken
! nedy. 'There's only three. Come on,
ye scut!" And down they went, full
tilt, at the Sioux, yet heading to cover
and reach the beleaguered party. in
the hollow. Some one of the besieged
waved a hat on high. Two more car
bines barked their defiance at the
| feathered foe, and then came pretty
exhibit of savage daring and devotion.
sDisdainful of the coming troopers and
of the swift fire blazing at them from
the pit, the two mounted warriors
lashed their ponies to mad gallop and
bore down straight for their i'm
periled brother, crouching behind the
stricken pinto" Never swerving,
never halting, hardly checking speed,
but bending low over and behind their
chargers necks, the two young
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