Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-22
CHAPTER XXX.
On the Little Bio Horn.

phatically expressed disgust, the more
slowly moving pack.train, were follow
ing Clusters advancing column OF
horsemen down the right bank OF the
Little Big Horn. The troopers, car
bines 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 o rangy chestnut, Brant
kept his watchful eyes on those scat
tered fankers dotting the summit OF
the nearby bluff Suddenly one of
these. waved his hand eagerly, and the
lieutenant went dashing up the sharp
ascent.
What Is 1t, now, Lane?"
"Somethin' movin' out yonder, sir"
and the trooper pointed into the south
east They're down in coulee now,
reckon: but will be up on ridge
agin in a minute. got sight Of EN-
twice afore l waved"
The officer gazed earnestly in the
direction indicated, and was almost
Immediately rewarded by the glimpse
OF some indistinct, dark figures dimly
showing against the lighter back
ground of sky.
ly Come with me-"
At brisk trot they rode out. the
trooper tagging pace to the rear, the
watchful eyes OF both men sweeping
suspiciously across the prairie. The
two parties met suddenly upon the
summit OF sharp ridge and Brant
drew in his horse with an exclamation
Of establishment. 1t was pathetic
spectacle he stared at-a horse scarce
ly able to stagser forward; 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 q
man. Beside these, hatless. his shoes
rarely holding together. man Of
slender figure and sunburnt face held
the bridle-rein. An instant they gazed
at each other. the young officer's eyes
filled with sympathetic horror, the
other staring alphabetically at his res
cuer.
MY God! Can this be you, Hamp-
ton? What does it mean? Why are
you here?"
Hampton, leaning against the trem-
bling horse to keep erect, slowly lifted
his hand in a semblance of military
salute. Dispatches from Cheyenne.
This is Murphy-went crazy out yon-
der. For Gods sake-water, food!"
Your canteen, Lane!" exclaimed
Brant. Now hold this cup" and he
dashed into it a liberal supply Of
brandy from pocket-hask. Drink
that all down, Hampton"
The man did mechanically as he
was ordered, his hand never relaxing
It's grasp of the rein. Then CLEAN
Of ,eawakened intelligence appeared
in his eyes; he glanced up into the
..cring countenance of Murphy, and
,non back at those others. Give me
another for him"
Brant handed to him the filled cup,
noting az he did SO Hle strange steadi-
ness Of the hand which accepted it.
Hampton lifted the tin to the figure in
the saddle.
Drink it," he commanded. curt1y
every drop!"
For an instant the maniac glared
back at him sullenly; then he appear
ed 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 assisted Hampton to climb into
the vacated saddle. Then the trooper
grasped the rein Of Murphy's horse,
and the little party started toward
where the pack-train was hidden in
the valley.
rs Custer here?" said Hampton.
NO; that is, not with my party. We
are guarding the pack train. The 9th
ers 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 whore
the officer pointed. shading his eyes
with his hand.
Can you give me fresh horse. .
bite to eat, and cup of coffee, down
there?" he asked, anxiously. you
see I've got to go on.
60 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"
mot much" said Hampton. I'm
fit enough, or shall be as soon as get
food. Good Lord, boy, am not done
up yet, by long way! It's the cursed
loneliness out yonder," he swept his
hand toward the horizon, "and. the
having to care for him that has broken
my heart He went that way clear
back on the Powder, and it's been a
fight between US ever since. I'll be
all right now II you lads will only look
after him. This Is going to reach Gus
ter. and I'll take it," He flung back
his ragged coat. his hand on the dis
patch-bag. I've earned the right"
Brant reached forth his hand cor
daily. That's true; you have. What's
more. IL 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. / want to know the
story before we get In"