Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-11-16


during a three days siege Hampton and
the girl only escape from the Indians.
company of the Seventh cavalry, Lieut..
Brant in command. find them.
CHAPTER W-Continued
AS if by some magic discipline the
rude, effective filters were rapidly
made ready, and the two seemingly
1ifeless bodies gently lifted from off
the. ground and deposited carefully
within. Down the long, brown slope
they advanced slowly, 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-
suscitation. A fire was hastily kim
died from dried and broken branches,
and broth was made, which was forced
through teeth that had to be pried
open. Water was used unsparingly,
the soldiers working with feverish
eagerness, inspired by the constant ad-
monitions of their officer, as well as
their own curiosity to learn the facts
hidden behind this tragedy.
1t was the dark eyes of the girl
which opened first, instantly closing
again as the glazing light swept into
them. Then slowly, and with wonder
ment, she gazed up into those strange,
rough faces surrounding her, pausing
in her first survey to rest her glance
~
young lieutenant. who held her half
reclining upon his arm.
Here he exclaimed, kindly, inter-
preting her glance as one of fear, you
are all right and perfectly safe now,
with friends to care for you. Peters,
bring another cup of that broth. Now,
miss, just take a sup or two of this,
and your strength will come back in
a jiffy. What was the trouble? Starv-
jng?"
She did exactly as he babe her,
every movement mechanical, her eyes
fastened upon his face.
II 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 few yards far
Their down stream. A look of fresh in
telligence swept into her face.
rs that him?" she questioned, trem-
blingly. Isis he dead?"
He wasn't when we first got here,
but nightly near gone, I'm afraid.
I've been working over you ever
SINCE
She shook herself free and sat weak
ly up, her lips tight compressed, her
eyes apparently blind to all save that
motionless body she could barely dis
tinguish. Let me tell you, that fell
lows a man, just the same; the
gamest, nerviest man L ever saw 1
reckon he got hit, too, though he never
said nothing about it. That's his
style"
The deeply interested lieutenant re-
moved his watchful eyes from off his
charge just long enough to glance in
Quiringly across his shoulder. HAS
the man any signs of a wound, SER
geant?" he asked, loudly.
"A mighty ugly slug in the shoulder.
sir; has bled scandalous, but l guess
it's the very luck that's goin' to- save
him; seems now to be comm out all
right"
The officers brows knitted savagely.
1T begins to look as If this might be
some or our business. WndI nap
pened? Indians?''
Yes"
How far away?"
Il don't know. They caught us in
a canyon somewhere out yonder, may
be three or four days ago; there was
a lot killed, some of them soldiers My
dad was shot, and then that night he
he got nae out up the rocks, and he
he was carrying me in his arms when
II tainted. 1 saw there was blood
on his shirt, and it was dripping down
on the grass as he walked. That's
about all I know"
who is the man? What's his
name?"
The girl looked squarely into the
lieutenant's eyes, and, for some rea-
son which she could never clearly ex-
plain even to herself, lied calmly. Il
don't know; never asked"
Sergeant Carson rose stif1y from
his knees beside the extended figure
and strobe heavily across toward
where they were sitting, lifting his
hand in soldierly salute, his heels
clicking as he brought them sharply
together in military precision.
The fellow is getting his eyes open,
sir" he reported, land is breathing
more regular. Purity weak yit, but
he'll come round in time" He stared
curiously down at the girl now sitting
up unsupported, while a sudden look
OF surprised recognition swept across