The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-10

The he'll il is" cried the scout an
grily. We all said no women and no
IoOr HOSES. and that goes. Yore
bosses are q lot of crOwbait, and"
The women is women as is women"
cried another voice, and not yore lee
tie whitefaced. yaller-haired sort
that'd keel over II yo' said boo to her"
During the laconic dialogue, the
schooners had gradually drawn, near
ct. until now they were grouped in a
rough crescent around the two men.
Billy looked up TO see a tall woman
in blue bingham haranguing him from
behind one of the seats.
Il reckon If she can go, we can; and
you Jest chalk that down. Mr.. Speckie-
face" she went on. Billy was slightly
pockrnarked.
Other canvas flaps opened. and the
audience was increased by half
We're goin'." went on the woman,
whether you want us to or not: an
what's more. you got t take care OF
US in the 1njun country. an if you
don't I'll curse you from the grave,
you white-livered. no count cradle
rObber. you! Folks has some rights on
the plains, an you know IT jest's we'll
az I do, an if you think you can shake
yore ole pals for a lot of no count
tenderfeet, an not find trouble. you
Jest fools yoreself up a lot. let me tell
YOU that. If Dave we're had tn sperrit
of a coyote, he'd fix you, Mr.. Scout"
with vast contempt.
You men are all alike, A pretty
face" began the virago again, but
Billy had fled at speed.
The man. who had been chuckling
silently, spat and threw the rife into
the hollow ot his arm.
Good for you. Susie" he remarked.
You shut up" replied Susie with
acerbity. and retired within. The man
had yet to learn that one should never
voluntarily step within the notice of
an angry woman.
The two wagon trains proceeded as
( before-One behind the other by about
/ half a mile.
/ At intervals Billy or Jim went back
/ TO expostulate. They might be able to
undertake the responsibility of one
woman, hardly of nine. But they
never got a hearing, as all the con-
/ versation was vituperative and one
sided.
Alfred led the party to a deep. swift
| crossing of the Platte. BY the aid OF
/ the extra ponies the ford was made
I without loss. The second party had a
! hard struggle, but emerged dripping
/ and triumphant.
/ Billy and Jim were again put to
/ rout in an attempt at mere verbal dis
| suasion.
Alfred took them roundabout,
/ through a piece of country. cut and
/ quilted by rains. Some hills they
! climbed by the help of long ropes. The
/ second party dragged their wagons VI
/ singly, using all their animals to each
! wagon. They lost some time. but tbs
evening of the day following they
/ strung out in the rear as imperturba.
/ bly, as ever. Alfred ordered all the rid.
I crs into the wagons, and, by alternat.
/ ing the ponies. made forced marches
/ hoping thus TO shake the others off
] The others howeY er. discovering that
Alfreds party had been doubling and
| twisting through the worst country
/ detached a single rider. whose business
/ II was to search out the directest and
/ easiest route. Thus they caught UP. Al
/ fred discovered ii too late. for they
were now on the borders of the Indian
country.
Here a serious problem presented IT,
/ self. The second party had. up to now
made no attempt 10 close in and joir
I forces. On entering the Indian country
| they would certainly do so. The ques-
] ton was, whether they should be re.
/ sisted or received.
| II they were not repulsed. could they
/ be brought through successfully? II
| they were resisted, would the resist
! ance be effective? One thing or the
/ other must be decided Immediately
1 for. whatever. the policy adopted. il
I must be a settled policy before enter
/ ing hostile ground
! In the contest of endurance. the
/ score Of men comprising the main par