Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-15

home was in danger, perhaps their very lives. Yet the day had fulfilled Its promise of the morning-it was the
 happiest in her life!
 The ramshackle ferryboat was firm. ly wedged in drydock of ice on the
 western side of the Missouri. As Lounsbury passed it, with his horse following pluckily in spreadeagle fash ion, he shouted for old Michael. But long te!orc the river had flooded, when 1t was edging and covering only in the least swift places, the pilot had made his final crossing, run the wheezy steamer nose-on against the bank and deserted her. So the storekeeper re- ceived no answering halloo. He was disappointed. It was desirable to em- broil as few as possible in the Lancas- ter dispute. Old Michael, already a factor, was needed to act the picket to fire warning signal If Matthews left Shanty Town. .-...
 A substitute was found at the sta bles. The storekeeper as he rushed away after disposing of his mount came upon Lieutenant Fraser busily reaching his own riding animal, a flghty buckskin cayuse that no one else cared to handle and that was af- fectionately known, in barracks as the "she devil" The men had met be- fore, around the billiard table at the suffers, and Lounsbury had set the young officer down for chivalrous but rather chicken hearted youngster, who had chosen his profession unwise- ly. So, his story told, the storekeeper was altogether. surprised at Fraser's spirited enthusiasm and quick re- sponse.
 "Ive nothing to do, old man,, he said as they went toward the parade ground. T can help as well as not. So just take your time. I'll watch for you"
 q hardly think our man II show his nose before dark. But I can't leave the way open"-
 Don't fret"
 They parted at the fagpole, the West Pointer going down to the river and Lounsbury hurrying off in the oppo- site direction.
 Colonel Cummings entry and recep- tion rooms were crowded when the storekeeper entered. A score of off, cers were standing about in little groups talking excited1y. But Louns- bury was too anxious and .distraught to notice anything unusual. He hur- ried up to a tall, sad faced man whose mustache, thin and coarse, dropped sheer over his mouth, giving him the look of a martyred walrus.
 Gan I see the K. O., Captain On- ver?" he asked. 'It's important"
 "I'll find out," answered the captain. ''But I don't believe you can. He's up to his ears" He disappeared into the next room.
 Lounsbury bowed to several officers, though he scarcely saw them. He heard Oliver's low voice, evidently an nouncing him, then the colonePs.
 "Yes, bring him in," cried the latter. "Maybe he'll know"
 The storekeeper entered without waiting. Colonel Cummings stood in the center of the room. It was the room known as his library, in compli- ment to a row of dog cared volumes that had somehow survived many a wet bivouac and rough march. But 1t resembled museum. In the corners, on the walls beneath the bulky heads of buffalo and the branching antlers of elk, there were swords, tomahawks, bows and arrows, strings of glass wampum. cartridge belts, Indian bon nets, drums and shields and a miscel- lany of warlike odds and ends. Today the room was further filtered by maps, which covered the table, the benches and the whole length of an army cot. Over one of these hung the colonel, making imaginary journeys with the end of dead cigar.
 He turned swiftly to Lounsbury and caught him by the shoulders. "John," he said before the other could speak, T need an interpreter. You've been about here for years. Do you know one"
 There's soggy, that Phil Kearny fellow"-
 The colonel gave a grunt of disgust "In Jail at Omaha" he said. Played cards with a galoot who had some aces fin his boot tops. Plugged him."
 Whats the matter with your Rees?'
 That's jus: it! You see, that bunch of Sioux odt thcre"-he jerked his heal toward tbe stockadc-"helped in Q lit ef treachery two summers ago. Rounded up some friendly Rces at a dance and scaiPed 'em. So-there's poison for cou! In this business on hand I co:,in't trust even ny head bcout." He began pacing the floor. Anyway. sign language, when there a-c tef1s to be made aac kept. isn't worth a hang!'
 q wish could suggest man," said LounsourE. Fact is, colonel, I'm ter ribly worried myself. I came to ask you for help in some trouble"-
 The old soldier threw up his hands. Trouble" be cried. "Wby, I'm sim ply daft with itI Look at thatr' He pointed to the fartaest side of the room.
 It was dimly lighted. Lounsbury stepped forward and peered down then recoiled as startled as if he had happened upon something dead. On the floor was a man, a man whose