Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1907-12-11
CHAPTER IV.-continued.

They fall exhausted on the plains. A
company of the Seventh cavalry, Lieut..
Brant in command, find them.
CHAPTER IV.-Continued.
AS if by some magic discipline the
rude, effective filters were rapidly
made ready, and the two seemingly
lifeless bodies gently lifted from off
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
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 feyerish
eagerness, inspired by the constant adj
monitions of their officer, as we'll 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
on the sympathetic countenance 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 all right and perfectly safe now,
with friends to care for you. Peters,
bring another cup of that broth. Now,
miss, just take sup or two of this,
and your strength will come back in
jiffy. What was the trouble? Starv-
ing?"
She did exactly as he babe her,
every movement mechanical, her eyes
fastened upon his face. 'rfh
IL ISChOA lAdI was parity II, 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
telligence swept into her face.
rs that him." she questioned, trem-
blingly. Isis he dead?"
ouo uocp't whom uo Rrct bouo
but mighty 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. ]
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 wound, ser
geant?" he asked, loudly.
"A mighty ugly slug in the shoulder
sir; has bled scandalous, but l CUES:
it's the very luck that's gein, to save
him; seems now to be comm out al
right"
The officers brows knitted savagely
1T begins to look as if this might be
some of our business. What hap
: pened? Indians?"
Yes"
How far away?"
i don't know. They caught us il
a canyon somewhere out yonder, may
be three or four days ago; there wa.
lot killed, some of them soldiers. NJ,
dad was shot, and then that night he
he got me out up the rocks, and he
= he was carrying me in his arms whel
! IL tainted. l saw there was bloc;
, on his shirt, and it was dripping dow
on the grass as he walked. That
about all l know"
Who is the man? What's hi
+ nance"
The girl looked sQuarely into tn
e lieutenant's eyes, and, for some req
3 son which she could never clearly e1
plain even to herself, lied calmly. g
don't know; l never asked"
I Sergeant Carson rose stif1y fror
: his knees beside the extended fgur
o and strobe heavily across towar
I where they were sitting, lifting hi
g hand in soldierly salute, his heel
n clicking as he brought them sharpl
: together in military precision.
The fellow is getting his eyes oper
{ sir" he reported, "and is breathin
: more regular. Purity weak yit, bu
he'll come round in time" He stare
{ curiously down at the girl now sittin
/ up unsupported, while sudden loo
s of surprised recognition swept acros
his face.