The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-12-19
CHAPTER XIV.


had been conveyed in the letter OF Colone
Singleton, but the bruises OF his com
rade's body. In vain Lawton declares
himself fit for any duty that man coult
perform. His commander was firm, anC
the reluctant captain was compelled Il
comply with as good a grace as be coult
assume. Before parting, DunwOodin re
peated his caution to keep a watchful eye
on the inmates OF the cottage. A vague
suspicion Of danger to the family had
been awakened in the breast of the ma jor
by the language of the pcddler.
For some time after the departure OF
the troops, the captain was walking before
the door of the "hotel'' replying to the
occasional queries of Betty, who ever
and anon demanded an explanation of va
rious passages in the peddler's escape.
AT this instant he was Joined by the sur
seon, who had hitherto been engaged
among his patients in distant building.
Where are all the sentinels, Johni' he
inquired, ''and why are you here alone?'
"OH--all off, with Dunwoodie to the
river. You and / are left here to take
care OF a few sick men and some women"
Il am glad, however" said the surgeon,
"'that Major Dunwoodie had consideration
enough not to move the wounded. Here,
Mrs. Elizabeth Flanagan, hasten with
some food. / have a dead body TO dis
sect, and am in haste"
"And here, you Mister Doctor Archi-
bald Sitgreaves," echoed Betty, "you are
ever coming too late; here is nothing
10 ate.''
Woman" said the surgeon In anger,
III bid you hasten with such food as may
Se proper to be received into Che stomach
fasting" .
and I'm sure it's for pcp-gun that
should be taking you sooner than for a
cannon ball." said Betty, winking at the
captain; "and tell zee that it's fasting
you must be. The boys have ate me up
Entirely"
iawton now interfered to preserve the
peace, and assured the surgeon that he
had already dispatched the proper per-
sons in quest of food for the party. A
little mollifed with this explanation, the
operator soon forgot his hunger, and de-
clared his intention of proceeding to bust
ness at once.
"And where is your subjectf" asked
Lawton. .
I THE peddler," said the other, glancing
N look at the sign post. II made Hollis
ter put stage so high that the neck
would not be dislocated by the fall, and
u intend making as handsome a skeleton
lof hin as there is in the States of North
America; his bones are well knit. have
song been wanting something of this sort
10 send as a present to my old aunt IL
Virginia, who was so kind to me when a
boy. But what has been done with the
body
Lawton was obliged to explain TO his
friend.
Thus doubly disappointed in his meal
and his business, Sitgreaves suddenly de-
clared his intention of visiting the 10
Gusts" and inquiring into the state Of
Captain Singleton. Lawton was ready
for the excursion; and they were soon on
the road. For some time the two rode in
silence, when Lawton, perceiving that
his comrades temper was somewhat ruff
fei by his disappointments, made an eff
fort to restore the tranquility of his
feelings.
That was a charming song, Archibald,
that you commenced last evening, when
we were interrupted by the party that
brought in the peddler," he said
Il knew you would like it, Jack. Poetry
is a respectable art"
The surgeon involuntarily henmed.
and began to clear his throat. The cap
tain, observing him to be sitting with
great uneasiness on his horse, continued !:
THE air still, and the road solitary
why not give the song? We are fast ap-
sroaching some rocks on our left; the
echo will double my satisfaction"
Thus encouraged, the surgeon set about
somplying with the request in sober earn
est. Some little time was lost in getting
the proper pitch of his voice; but NO
sooner were these two points achieved
than Lawton had the secret delight of
bearing his friend commence.
Hush J" interrupted the troopsr |;
what rusting noise is that among the
eocksP'
ut must have been the rushing of the
melody. A powerful voice is like the
breathing of the winds"
"Listen!' said Lawton, stopping his
horse. He had not done speaking when
a stone fell at his feet. - friendly shot,
that, cried the trooper; neither the
weapon nor its force implies much ill
Will. 1t would be easy to hide regi-
ment behind those rocks" dismounting
and taking the stone in his hand. ''Oh !
here is the explanation along with the
mystery" So saying, he tore a piece of
paper that had been ingeniously fastened
to the small fragment of rock, and open
ing il, the captain read:
"A musket bullet will go farther than
q stone in the rocks of Westchester. The
horse may be good, but can he mount a
precipiceT
Thou sayest the truth, strange man"
said Lawton, courage and activity would
avail but little against assassination and
tNese rugged passes" Remounting his
AsrSA he cried aloud: Thanks. unknown