Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-10
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII. .
 But Frayne was far from done with excitement for the day. For while all eyes seemed centered on the chase, now scattered miles toward the east, and, save for two of the number left behind, blown, spent and hopelessly out of the race, soon lost to view among the distant swales and ravines. Then everyone turned to welcome the coming hamburger, to congratulate him on his escape. to demand the reason for his daring essay. Gregg and his men were first to reach him; and while one of them was seen through the leveled glass to dismount and give the courier his fresh horse, thereby showing that the gray was well-nigh exhausted, the whole party turned slowly toward the post. Then one of their number suddenly darted forth from the group and came spur ring at top speed straight for the ford.
 That means news of importance" said Webb, at the instant. And Gregg and all of his squad are com ing in-not following Blake. That means he and they are more needed elsewhere. Come on, MT. Ross. We'll go down and meet that fellow. Or derly, have my horse sent to the ford" So, followed the three or four younger officers-the married men being restrained, as a rule, by pro- testing voices, close at hand-the commanding officer went slipping and sliding down a narrow, winding path way, a mere goat track, many of the soldiers {. following at a respectful distance, while all the rest of the gathered throng remained at the crest, eagerly, almost breathlessly, awaiting the result. They saw the trooper come speeding in across the flats from the northeast; saw as he reached the "bench" that he was spurring hard; heard, even at the distance, the batter of hoofs upon the resounding sod; could almost hear the fierce panting of the racing steed; saw horse and rider come pfunging down the bank and into the stream, and showing breast-deep through the foaming waters; then issue dripping, on the hither shore, where, turning loose his horse, the soldier leaped from saddle and saluted his com mander. But only those about the major heard the stirring message:
 Captain Gregg's compliments, sir. It's Rudge from the Dry Fork. Ser geant Kelly feared that Kennedy hadn't got through, for most of Lame wolf's people pulled away from the Fork yesterday morning, coming this way, and the sergeant thought it was to unite with Stabber to surround any small command that might be sent ahead from here. Rudge was or dered to make wide sweep to the east, so as to get around them, and that's what took him so long. He left not two hours after Kennedy"
 In spite of his years of frontier service and training in self-control, Webb felt, and others saw, that his face was paling. Ray. with only 50 men at his back, was now out of sight out of reach-of the post and prob- ably face to face with, if not already surrounded by, the combined forces of the Sioux. Not a second did he hesitate. Among the swarm that had followed him was a young trumpeter of ''K" troop. reckless of the fact that he should be at barracks. packing his kit. As luck would have it, there at his back hung the brazen clarion, held by its yellow braid and cord. Boots and saddles, Kerry, quicki- ordered the major, and as the ringing notes re-echoed from bluff and build ing wall and came laughing back from the distant crags at the south, the little throng at the bank and the crowd at the point of the bluff, had scattered like startled coveys-the men full run for the barracks and stables, never stopping to reason why"
 Nearly half an hour later, gray. haired Capt Dade stood at the point of bluf near the flagstaff, Esther, pale and fearful by his side. waving adieu and Godspeed to Webb. who had halted in saddle on reaching the opposite bank and was watching his little eolumn through the ford-three stanch troops. each about 60 strong, reinforced by about half dozen of Rays men left behind in the forward rush at dawn. but seorning disqusIi- hostiOn of any kind. now that danger mensced their beloved captain and their comrades of the sorreI troop In an the regiment no man was loved by the rank and Ele as was Billy Ray
 The veterans trusted and swore by- the younger troopers looked up to and ueII-niEh vOrxhipped him. and now. as the story that the Sioux had probably surroun5ed the sorreI troop vent Ike widsre through the s1<ss son, even the sick in the ~