Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-21
CHAPTER ~.
On The Naked Plain.

IT.
every foot of that dreary. treeless
distance Indian-hauntcd. the favorite
skulhng place and hunting ground OF
the restless Sioux Winter and sum-
mer this wide expanse had TO De sus-
piciously patroled by numerous milf
tary scouting parties. anxious 20 learn
more regarding the uncertain where
abouts OF wandering bands and the
purposes Of malcontents.
One such company. composed of a
dozen mounted infantrymen. accom-
panied by three Cree trauers. rode
slowly and YEARLY across the brown
exposed uplands down into the longer.
greenor grass Of the wide valley bot
tom. until they emerged upon barely
perceptble trail which wound away ln
snakelike twistings. toward those
high. barren hills whose blue masses
were darkly silhouetted against the
western sky. The animals moved
steadily forward. reluctant and weary.
their heads dropping dejectedly. their
distended nostriis red and ouivering.
the oily pcrsp.ratiCu streaking their
busted sides. The tired men. half
blinded by the glare. lollod heavily i'm
their deep cavalry saddles. with en-
crusted eyes staring mooduy ahead.
Riding alone. aud slightly iu adj
vance of the main body. his mount
rangy. broad-chested roam. streakcd
with alkan dust the dropping head
telling plainly OF wearied muscles. was
the officer iu command He was a
pleasantfaccd. stalwart young fellow.
with the trim figure OF trained ath-
lete. possessing square chin smooth
ly shaver. his intelligent blue ewes
half concealed beneath his hat brim
which had been drawn low 10 shade
them from the glare. one hand press
ing upon his saddle holster as he
leaned over 10 rest No insignia OF
rank served 90 distinguish him from
those equally dusty fellows Flooding
gloomily behind. but q broad stripe OF
yellow running down the seams of his
trousers. together with his high boots
bespoke the cavalry service. while the
front 90 bis battered campaign hat
bore the decorations OF two crossed
sabcrs. with gildcd 90" prominent
between. Ills attire was completed DIV
coarse blue shirt. ubottoncd nc the
throat about which had been loosely
knOtted a darker colored SIX handker
chief. and across the back OF the sad
die was fastened q uniform Jacket the
single shoulder strap revealed pre-
seuung the plain yellow 90 q second
lieutenant
Attaining Go the summit of SLIGHT
knoll. whence a somewhat wider vista
lay outsprcad. hc partially turned his
face toward the men struggling along
In the rear, while his hand swept
across the dreary scene.
IL that line OF trees over youder
indicates tho course OF the Bear wa
ter Carson" he questioned quietly.
where are we expected 20 hit the trail
leading down 90 the ford?"
The sergeant. thus addressed a liz
tie stocky fellow wearing a closely
clipped gray moustache. spurred his
exhausted horse into a brief trot. and
drew up short by the officers side. his
heavy eyes scanning the vague dis
lance, even while his right hand was
uplifted in perfunctory salute.
There's no trail know about along
this bank. sir" he replied respectfully. !
but the big cottonwood with the dead
branch forking out at the top is the !
ford guide"
They rode down in moody silence
into the next depression. and began
YEARLY climbing the long Hill opposite,
apparently the last before coming di.
rectly down the banks Of the stream. |
AS HIS barely moving horse topped the !
uneven summit the lieutenant sudden.
ly drew In his rein. and uttering an
exclamation Of surprise. bent forward. I
staring intenty down in his immedl-
ate front For a single instant he ap- I
peared TO doubt the evidence OF his
own eyes; then he swung hastily from
out the saddle, all WEAKNESS forgotten.
My Cod" he cried. sharply. his
eyes suspiciously sweeping the bare
slope There are two bodies lying
here-white peoplel"
They lay all doubled up in the coarse
grass. exactly as they had fallen. the
man resting face downward. the
slender figure OF the girl clasped vice
like IN his arms, with her tightly !
closed eyes upturned toward the glar-
ing sun Never once questioning but !
that he was confronting the closing /
scene OF a grewsome tragedy. the thor I
oughIy aroused lieutenant dropped T,
upon his knees beside them. his eyes 1
already moist with sympathy. his anx- !
sous fingers feeling for a possible /
heartbeat. A moment OF hushed. /
breathless suspense followed. and then /
ne began finging terse, eager COM !
mands across his shoulder TO where /
MS men were clustered
Here! Carson. Perry, Ronk. Law /
hold quick, and break this fellows I
clasp" he cried. briefly. The girl /
retains spark Of life yet, but the
mans arms fairly crush her"
With all the rigidity OF actual death I
those clutching hands held their tena- /
cious grip, but the aroused soldiers /
the interlaced fingers apart
with every tenderness possible in such |
emergency. shocked at noting the ex-
preston OF intense agony stamped