The Irish standard., 1907-11-02
CHAPTER XXI.
A. Al s&&1> Dr. L


On the Little Big Horn.
N troop, guarding. much to their EN-.
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 a rangy chestnut. Brant
kept his watchful eyes on those scat
tered flankers dotting the summit of
the nearby bluff. Suddenly one Of
these waved hisihand eagerly, and the
lieutenant went dashing up the sharp
ascent.
What is it, now, Lane?"
"somethin' movin' out yonder, SIR"
and the trooper pointed into the south
east. They're down in coulee now,
l reckon; but will be up on a ridge
agin in minute. got sight of 'em
twice afore 1 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.
white men," he announced, short
ly. Come with me"
At a 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!wirh an exclamation
of establishment, TT was pathetic
spectacle he stared ;at-a horse scarce
ly able to stagger forward; on his back,
with feet strapped securely beneath
and hands bound to the high pommel,
the lips grinning ferociously, perched
misshapen creature clothed as a
man. Beside these, hatless. his shoes
barely holding together, a man of
slender figure and sunburnt face held
the bridle-rein. An instant they gazed
at each other, the young officers 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 semblance of military
salute. dispatches from Cheyenne
This is Murphy-went crazy out yon
der. For Gods sake-water, food!"
Your canteen, 4rLane!" exclaimed
Brant. Now hold this cup" and he
dashed into it a liberal supply Of
brandy from a pocket.fask. Drink
that all down, Hampton"
The man did mechanically as hi
was ordered, his hand never relaxing
it's grasp of the rein. Then Il CLEAN
of reawakened intelligence appeared
in his eyes; he glanced up into the
.leering countenance of Murphy, ant
then back at those others. "Give mt
another for him
Brant handed to him the filled cup
noting as he did so the strange steadi
ness of the hand which accepted it
Hampton lifted the tin to the figure IL
the saddle.
Drink it," he commanded, curtly
{ every drop!"
= For an instant the maniac glare
3 back at him sulenly; then he appea,
8 ed to shrink in terror. and dram
! swiftly.
. eve can make the rest Of the wa
, now" Hampton announced, quietl,
} Lord. but this has been a trip!"
r Lane dismonnted at Brant's orde
l and assisted Hampton to climb int
:. the vacated saddle. Then the troope
!. grasped the rein Of Murphy's hors,
and the little party started towar
: where the pack train was hidden /
, the valley.
, "Is Custer here?" said Hampton.
mo; that is, not with my party. w
: are guarding the pack-train. The otl
, ers are ahead, and Custer, with fiv
/ troops, has moved to the right. H
, is somewhere among those ridge
back of the bluff"
, The man turned and looked wher
, the officer pointed, shading his eye
! with his hand.
Can you give me . fresh horse,