Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-07-30

ny 1 hShlllS bdNh W HIS lJp9i al lllt l'l-
escope-of the adiutant and officer
of the day tearing away toward the
stables, where many of the men
were now at work, were signs that
told unerringly of something stir
ring, probably across the Platte.
As luck would have it, in anticipation
Of orders to move, the troop horses
had not been set out to Craze, and
were still in the sunshiny corrals, and
long before the news was fully voiced
through officers row, Blake and six
of his men were in saddle and darting
away for the ford, carbines advanced
the instant they struck the opposite
bank.
From the bluff Webb had shouted
his instructions. I'VE could see him
a moment ago" for half a dozen field
glasses were already brought to bear,
six miles out-far east of the road.
Feel well out to your left to head off
any of Stabber's people. Three of
them have been seen galloping out
already
AYE, aye, sir" came the answer
ing shout, as Blake whirled and tore
away after his men. There had been
a time in his distant past when the
navy, not the army, was his ambition,
and he still retained some of the
ways of the sea. just as Webb feared,
some few of Stabber's young war
riors had been left behind, and their
eagle-eyed lookout had sighted the
far distant courier almost as soon as
Sandy's famous telescope. Now they
were Fastening to head him off.
But he seemed to have totally van
tshed. Level as appeared the north
watd prairie from the commanding
height on which stood the throng of
eagss watchers, it was in reality .
low. ceiling surface like some lazily
heavS1g sea that had become sudden
ly solidified. Long, broad, shallow
dips or basins lay between broad,
wide, far-cNtending, yet slight up
heavals. Through the shadows turned
and twisted dozens of dry arroyos, all
gradually trending toward the Platte
the drainage system of the from
tier. Five miles out began the ascent
to the taller divides and ridges that
gradually, and with many an inter
yening dip, rose to the watershed
between the Platte and the score of
tiny tributaries that united to form
the South Cheyenne. 1t was over
Moccasin, or Ten Mile, Ridge, as il
was often called, and close to the
now abandoned stage road, Rays
daring little command had disap-
peared from view toward eight
o'clock 1T was at least two, possi-
bly, three, miles east of the stage
road that the solitary courier had
first been sighted, and when later
seen by the major and certain 9TH
ers of the swift gathering spectators,
he was heading for Frayne, though
still far east of the highroad
And now Mrs. Ray, on the north
piazza, with Webb by her side and
Mamie Blake, Mrs. Dade and Esther
in close attendance, was briefly tell
ing the major what she had seen up
stream. One glance through Sandy's
glass had told her the little fellow
had not watched in vain. Then with
the ready binocular she had turned
to the Indian encampment up the
Platte, and almost instantly saw
signs of COmmotion-squaw and
children running about, ponies run
ming away and Indian boys pursuing.
Then, one after another, three In
dians-warriors, presumably - had
lashed away northward and she had
sent Sandy on the run to tell the
major, even while keeping watch on
this threatening three until they shot
behind long, low ridge that
stretched southwark from the foot
hills. Beyond doubt they were off
in hopes of bagging that solitary
horseman, speeding with warning of
some kind for the shelter of Fort
Frayne.
BY this time there must have been
nearly two hundred men, women and
children lining the crest of the bluff,
and speaking in low, tense voices
when they spoke at all, and straining
their eyes for the next sight of the
coming courier or the swift dash of
the intercepting Sioux. Well out
now, and riding at the gallop, Blake
and his half dozen, widely separating
so as TO cover much of the ground,
were still in view, and Dade and his
officers breathed more freely. See
what distance those beggars of
Stabber's will have to ride" said the
veteran captain to the little group
about him. They dare not cross the
ridge short of three miles out. It's
my belief they'll see Blake and never
cross at all"
Then up rose a sudden shout,
There he isl" 'There he comes!"
"See!" "See!" and so hands pointed
eagerly northeastward where little
black dot had suddenly popped into
view out of some friendly, winding
watercourse, four miles still away, at
least count, and far to the right and
front of Blales easternmost trooper.
Every glass was instantly brought
to bear upon the swiftly coming ri.
der, Sandy's shrill young voice ring.
ing out from the upper window. at
isn't one of papa's men. His horse is