The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-11-07
cHAPTER W.-contInued.

CHAPTER N-continusd.
As if by some magic discipline the
rude, effective filters were rapidly
made ready. inc the two seemingly
lifeiess bodies gently lifted from on
the ground and deposited carefully
within Down the long. brown slope
they advanced slowly, a soldier grasp
ing the rein and walking at each
horses head. the supporting blankets,
securely fastened about the saddle
pommels, swaying gently to the meas
ured tread OF the trained animals. Be
meath the protecting shadows OF the
first group OF cottonwoods, almost on
the banks Of the muddy Bear Water.
the little party let down their sense
less burdens. and began once more
their seemingly hopeless efforts at re
su%scitation. A fire was hastily kin
died from dried and broken branches,
and broth was made, which was forced
through teeth that had to be pried
open. Water was used un~sparingly,
the soldiers working with feverish
eagerness. inspired by the constant ad-
monitions OF their officer. as vel as
their own curiosity to learn the facts
hidden behind this tragedy.
II was the dark eyes of the girl
which opened first. instantly closing
again as the glaring light swept into
them. Then slowly, and with wonder
ment, she gszed mp into those strange,
rough faces surrounding her. pausing
in her first survey 70 rest her glance
on the sympathetic c%ountenance of the
young lieutenant. who held her half
reclining upon his arm.
Here, he exclaimed, kindly, inter
preting her glance as one Of fear, you
are ali right md perfectly safe now,
with friends 10 care for you. Peters,
bring another cup Of that broth. Now,
miss, just take a sup or two Of this,
and your strength VIII come back in
a jiny. What was the trouble? Starv.
ing"
She did exactly as he bade her.
every movement mechanical her eyes
fastened upon his face.
I'll reckon that was partly it, she
responded at last, her voice faint and
husky. Then her glance wandered
away. and finally rested upon another
little kneeling group a few yards far.
Their down stream. A look OF fresh In.
t~elligence swept into her face.
is that him?' she questioned. trem.
blingly. Isis he dead?"
"He wasn't when we first got here
hut nightly near gone, I'm afraid
I've been working rel you ever
since"
She shook herself free and sat weak.
~ up, her lips tight compressed. her
eyes apparently blind to all save that
m~otionless body she could barely dis
tinguish. Let ms tell you. that Eel
lows a man. just the same; the
gamest. nerviest man 1 ever saw.
reckon he got hit. too. though he new
said nothing about It. That's his
style
The deeply interested lieutenant re
moved his watchful eyes from on hll
charge just long enough to glance Ia
quiringly across his shoulder. "Hal
the man any signs of a wound. ser
Eeantg" he asked, loudly.
"A mighty ugly slug In the shoulder
sir; has bled scandalous. but I guess
its the very luck that's goin 10 saw
him; seems now TO be comm out al
right"
The officers brows knitted ~sayagely
IL begins 10 look as II this might b
some OF our business. What hap
pened? mdians?"
yes
How far away?"
Il don't know. They caught us Il
a canyon somewhere out yonder. mas
be three or four days ago. there wa
a lot killed. some Of them soldiers. ~.
dad was shot. and then that night he
he got me out up the rocks. and he
he was carrying me In his arms whe.
IL tainted. I saw there was bloc
on his shirt. and It was dripping dow
on the grass as he walked. That.
about all I know.
who Is the man? What's hi
manner"
The girl looked squarely into tn
l~ieutenant's eyes. and, for some rea
son which she could never clearly "a
plain even TO herself. lied calmly. +"
don't know never asked"
Sergeant Carson rose stimy fror
his knees beside the extended hgur
and STROBE heavily across towar
where they were sitting. lifting hi
hand "a soldieriy salute, his heel
clicking as be brought them sharpl
together Ia military precision.
"The fellow Is getting his eyes oneI
sir" he reported, and Is breathin
more regular Purity weak yit, bu
hon come round Ia time he stare
c~uriously down az the girl now sittin
up unsupported. while q sudden loo
oi surprised reoognitioa swept aeros
81 -.