Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-29
CHAPTER vi.

moving pack-train. were following Clusters
advancing column Of horsemen down the
right bank of the Little Big Horn. The
| troopers, carbines at knee. sitting erect In
their saddles, their faces Drowned by the
hot winds Of the plains. were riding steadily
northward. Beside them, mounted upon
| rangy chestnut, Brant kept his watchful
eyes on those scattered lankers dotting the
summit Of the nearby bluff. Suddenly one
of these waved his hand eagerly. and the
| lieutenant went dasansH up the sharp as
cent
''What is it, now, Lane?'
"Somethin' movin. jist~ out yonder. Sir.
| and the trooper pointed into the. southeast
| They're down in a coulee now, 1 reckon;
| but will he up ridge agtn in minute
| 1 got sight of EN- twice afore l waved
The officer gazed earnestly in the .direc-
| ton indicated, and was almost Immediately
rewarded by the glimpse OF some indis.
| tinct. dark figures dimly showing against
| the lighter background of sky. He brought
| his field glasses to a focus. ..,
white men," he Announced, shortly.
Come with me-. . .. ....
| At brisk trot they rode out. the trooper
| tagging a pace to the rear. the watchful
eyes of both men sweeping suspiciousiy
across the prairie. The two parties met
suddenly upon the summit of sharp ridge,
! and Brant drew in his horse with an ex-
clamation of establishment. 1t was pa
thetic spectacle he stared at-a horse scarce
ly able to stagger forward. his tanks quiv-
ering from exhaustion, his head hanging
| Imply down: on his back, with feet strapped
securely beneath and hands bound to the
high pommel. the lips grinning ferociously.
perched a misshapen creature clothed as a
man. Beside these, hatless, his shoes barely
holding together. man of slender figure
1 and sunburnt face held the bride rein An
| instant they gaZed at each other, the young
| officers eyes filled with sympathetic hor-
IA Ln- ctnr try NATL nti oil
| rescuer.
"My God! Can this be you. Hampton
| and the startled lieutenant flung himself
from his horse. What does it mean?
Why you here?"
| Hampton. leaning against the trembling
| horse to keep erect, slowly lifted his hand
| in a semblanCe Of military salute. Dis
patches from Cheyenne. This Is Murphy
went crazy out yonder. For Gods sake
water, food!''
Your canteen. Laner' exclaimed Brant.
Now hold this cup and he dashed into 1t
| a liberal supply of brandy from a pocket
| flask Drink that all down. Hampton
The man did mechanically as he was or
dered. his hand never relaxing Its grasp or
| the rein. Then a CLEAN of reawakened in
telligence appeared in his eyes; he glanced
up into the leering cOuntenance of Murphy.
| and then back at those others. Give me
another for him.
Brant handed to him the filed cup. noting
| as he did so the strange steadiness of the
| hand which accepted it. Hampton lifted the
| tin to the figure in the saddle. his own
gaze directed straight into the eyes as he
might seek to control a wild animal.
Drink it," he commanded. CURLY. every
DROP" ...
For an instant the maniac glared back at
| him sulenly; then he appeared to shrink in
terror and drank swiftly.
I'VE can make the rest of the way now"
Hampton announced; quietly. Lord. but
| this has been trip
Lane dismounted at brant's order, and as
| sisted Hampton to climb into the vacated
| saddle. Then the trooper grasped the rein
| of Murpslys horse and the little party
started toward where the pack train was
| hidden in the valley. The young officer rode
| silently and at walk. his eyes occasionally
studying the face of the other and noting its
| drawn. gray look. The very sight of
Hampton had been a shock. Why was he
here and with Murphy? Could this strange
Journey have anything to do with Nadia?
| Could it concern his own future, as well
| hers? He felt no lingering jealousy of this
man. for her truthful words had forever
settled that matter. Yet who was he?
| What peculiar power did he WELD over her
| life?
"Is Custer here?" said Hampton.
| mo; that is, not with my party. We are
| guarding the pack train. The others are
! ahead. and Custer with five troops. has
moved to the right. He is somewhere
| among those ridges back of the bluff"
! The man turned and looked where the
officer pointed, shading his eyes with his
! hand. Before him lay only the brown, I'M
dulating waves Of upland, a vast desert Of
| burnt grass. shimmering under the hot sun.
'Can you give me a fresh horse. bite to
| eat and cup of coffee, down there?" he
asked anxiously. You see I've got to
| go on.
Go on? Good God! man, do you realize
what you are saying? Why, you can hardly
sit the saddle! You carry dispatches. you
| say? Well. there are plenty of good men in
my troop who will volunteer to take them
| on. You need rest"
| of cail NJ Tan orltnn m
| enough. or shall be as soon as 1 get food
| Good Lord. boy. am not done up yet, by a
| long way! It's the cursed loneliness out
| yonder" be swept his hand toward the
| horizon land the having to for him.
| that has broken my heart. He went that
way clear back on the Powder. and it's
| been a fight between ever since. I'll be
| all right now IL you lads will only look after
! him. This is going to reach Custer. and
| I'll take it!'' He flung back his ragged coat,
his hand on the dispatch bag. i've earned
| the right"
| Brant reached forth his hand cordially
| "That's true: you have What's more, If
you're able to make the trip, there is no one
| here who will attempt to stop you. But
now tell me how this thing happened. I
| want to know the story before we get in"
| For moment Hampton remained silent,
his thoughtful gaze on the nearby videttes,
| his hands leaning heavily upon the saddle
| clearly; possibly he could not instantly de-
| eide just how much Of that story to tell
! Brant suspected this last to be his diff
| Guilty, and he spoke impulsively.
| Hampton, there has been trouble and
misunderstanding between us. but that's all
| past and gone now. I sincerely believe in
| your purpose of right, and l ask you to
trust me. Either of would give his life
| If need were to be of real service to little
| girl back yonder In the hills. don't know
| what you are to her! don't ask l know
| she has every confidence in you. and that is
| enough. Now. 1 want to do what is right
| with both of you. and If you have word
| to say to me regarding this matter. I'll
| treat 1t confidentially. This trip with Muir
| ply has some bearing upon Nadia ellis,
| has it not?"
! Yes"
| "Will you tell me the story?"
| The thoughtful gray eyes looked at him
| long and searchingly. "Brant, do you love
that girl?'
| Just as unwaveringly the blue eyes re-
| turned the look. Il do. 1 have asked her
| to become my wife"
| And her answer"
| "She said no; that dead man was be-
| tween us
| rs that all you know?'
| The younger man bent his head his face
| grave and perplexed. Practically ALL"
Hampton wet his dry lips with his
| tongue. his breath quickening
| In, hot clnn rirl,t