Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-12-20

Nciy nicely uOnc, Wdtoons No
said to the expectant sergeant De
pIoy your men to left and right. and
clear out those shooterA Make 4
good job Of 1t, but no firing unless
you have to-"
The troopers went at It as II they
enjoyed the task, forcing their FESTIVE
horses through the thickets, and
roughly handling more than one who
ventured to question their authority.
Yet the work was over In less time
than 1t takes to tell, the discounted
regulators driven pellmell down the
hill and back into the town, the eager
cavalrymen hating only at the COM
mand Of the bugle. Brant, confident
of his first sergeant In such emergen-
cy. merely paused long enough to
watch the men deploy, and then press
ed straight up the hill, alone and on
foot. That danger to the besieged
was yet imminent was very evident.
The black spiral of smoke had be-
come an enveloping cloud, spreading
rapidly In both directions from Its
original starting-point. He arrived
finally where the ground was charred
black and covered with wood ashes,
still hot under foot and smoking, bat
he pressed upward, sheltering his
eyes with uplifted arm, and seeking
passage where the scarcity Of under
brush rendered the zone OF fire less
impossible. He could see scarcely
three yards in advance, but to the
rear the narrow lane Of retreat re-
NAMED open. Standing there, as
though in the mouth Of furnace, the
red flames scorching his face, Brant
followed his hands for a call.
Hampton" The word rang out
over the Internal cracking and roar
ing like the note of a trumpet.
"Ay! What is it," The returning
voice was plainly not Hampton's yet
1t came from directly in front, and
not far away.
Who are you? Is that you, Mar
shal?"
"Thet's the ticket" answered the
voice, gruf1y, IAN just as full O. fight
es ever"
Brant lifted his jacket to protect
his face from the scorching heat.
There was certainly no time to lose
in any exchange Of compliments.
I'm Brant, lieutenant Seventh cav.
airy" he cried, choking with the thick
ening smoke. MY troop has scatter
ed those fellows who we're hunting
you. I'll protect you and your prison
er, but you'll have to get out Of there
at once. Can you locate me and make
a dash for It? Wrap your coats around
your heads, and leave your guns be-
hind"
An instant he waited for the an.
swer, fairly writhing in the intense
heat, then Mason shouted, "Hamp-
toms been shot, and I'm winged 1t
tie; l can't carry him"
Brant ripped of his jacket, wrapped
1t about his face, damned a handker-
chief into his mouth and with a prayer
In his heart, leaped forward into the
seemingly narrow fringe of fire in his
front. Head down, he ran blindly,
stumbling forward as he struck the
ore-dump, and beating out with his
hands the sparks that scorched his
clothing. The smoke appeared to roll
higher from the ground here, and the
coughing soldier crept up beneath It,
breathing the hot air, and feeling as
though his entire body were afire.
Mason, his countenance black and un-
recognizable, his shirt soaked with
blood, peered into his face.
Hell, amt IT," he sputtered, but
you're a dandy, all right"
rs Hampton dead?"
Il reckon not. Got hit bad, though"
Brant cast one glance into the
white, unconscious face Of his rival,
and acted with the promptness Of mil
itary training.
Whip of your shirt, Mason, and tie
it around your face" he commanded.
Lively now!"
He bound his silk neckerchief
across Hampton's mouth, and lifted
the limp form partially from the