The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-14

you can't stand the ride JUST try me.
sir was what that game little chap
said
well. sir. to make along story short
Buttons and another fellow started on
that ride. About mOOnrise they sneak
ed from the camp on two the best
horses in the whole district. the ola
mans and the lieutenant's. They skirt
ed the bluff. passed out Of the lines. and
with their mounts hoOfs mufiied. made
of to the northwest without getting
a shot or sign OF the Indians.
The other. fellow started hot gall
lop as soon as he felt that the lines OF
the redskins had been passed But
tons came after him like a fash. laid
a firm hand on his bride, and said:
Save your nag till later. In a couple
Of hours we've got to ride like he'll, as
the old man said Wen need all the
speed and stay in them then on they
went. out into the night. with the chill
wind whistling in their ears. and moth
ing but the moon and stars to guide
them. On and on those fellows rode.
with their horses well in hand All AT
once Buttons clapped his hand TO his
shoulder, tagged at his shirt for min
ute. and. lying low over his mount, said:
'Nows the time. Ride like the very
devil
As he gave his nag free rein, those
wild hills seemed peOpIed with thousand
demons. Yells rose on all sides. From
both TANKS and rear came shots kissing
and singing. and sometimes so..nd
more awful TO the old soldier. the wills
per of an arrow. Fortunately, they ali
missed In the darkness-that is, all bur
one Like hunted devils, those troopers
e -, III ,FaF.
ing TANKS and wide spread nostrils OF
their mounts told them the end was not
far of. Still the shots and yeIls fol-
lowed them. Away in the east a thin
gray streak spoke of the coming day.
Would il bring safety or death? ON
they struggled, their horses blowing
and fighting TO keep ahead OF the chas-
ing redskins. Now they could see the
painted faces Of their foes in the rap
idly gathering light of dawn.
As they struggled painfully up a
littf> rise, the welcome notes OF reveille
rang out on the clear morning air. The
Indians heard it, halted. and then van
ished- Into that camp the two soldiers
rode. almost played out. UTp to the tent
OF the commander they dashed. almost
dropping from their weary horses. But
tons rose stiffiy in his seat. saluted the
colonel, and reported that Berkeley was
In deadly peril a. the DEVILS Throat
latch Then he muttered something.
Joppled forward. and fell TO the ground.
The doctor hurried up, but, LORD, il was
no use. Wen. sir. there's not very much
more to tell. The other fellow
who happened to be Burns. by the
bye. sir broke In Sergeant McLaugh-
lin, who had come up uhnOticed during
the recital. He came 10 our relief
with heavy column. There was hot
tight. and the red devils paid dearly for
that apron and the life OF as gallant
boy as ever sighted a carbine
And Buttons?" / asked
Poisoned arrow. sir" said Burns.
who had blushed a rosy red when his
name was mentioned 'Shot through
the shoulder. He rode four hours face
10 face with certain death. He knew 81
well. but he never whinpsred. He died
because no mortal SKIN cUuiu have
him"
a thick cloud Of smoke rose about the
face and form of the old trooper. com
pietely concealing him from me. AZ
last from out of the blue haze, IN
muftied voice. came these words; he
was dead game. sir