The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-04-23

during a three days siege. Hampton and
They fall exhausted on the plains, A
company of the Seventh cavalry, Lieut..
Brant in command, find them.
CHAPTER iv.-continued.
As il by some magic discipline the
rude, effective litters were rapidly
made ready. and the two seemingly
lifeless bodies gently lifted from of
the ground and deposited carefully
within. Down the long. brown slope
they advanced slowly. a soldier grasp
sng the rein and walking at each
horses head, the supporting blankets,
securely fastened about the saddle
pommels. swaying gently to the meas
-lred 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 kin
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
smonitions of their officer, as well as
their own curiosity to learn the facts
hidden behind this tragedy.
IL 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.
ROACH faces surrounding her. pausing
In her first survey to rest her glance
~os 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 a 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.
IL 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 a few yards far
Their down stream. A look of fresh in
teIligence swept into her face.
rs that him?" she questioned. trem-
bIingly. 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. l
reckon he got hit, too. though he never
said nothing about 1t. That's his
style"
The deeply interested lieutenant re-
moved his watchful eyes from on his
charge just long enough to glance in
quiringly across his shoulder. Has
the man any signs Of a wound. SER
.geapt?' he asked. loudly.
"A mighty ugly slug in the shoulder.
vir; has bied scandalous. but / 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 II this might be
some of our business What hap
peBed2 Indians?"
Yes"
How far awayr"
II don't know. They caught Us in
n canyon somewhere out yonder, may
be three OF four days ago; there was
n lot killed. some of them soldiers. My
dad was shot. and then that night he
ne got me out up the rocks. and he
ne was carrying me In his arms when
IL tainted. ! saw there was blood
ON his shirt, and It was dripping down
on the grass as he walked. That's
about all / know"
who is the mani What's his
lname!"
The girl looked squarely into the
ueutenants eyes. anu, lor SOME red-
son which she could never clearly ex-
plain even to herself. lied calmly. Il
don't know; l never asked"
Sergeant Carson rose stiffly from
his knees beside the extended figure
and strobe heavily across toward
where they were sitting. lifting his
hand In soldiarly salute. his heels
clicking as he brought them sharply
together In military precision
The fellow is getting his eyes open.
SIR" ne reported. land is breathing
more regular. Purity weak yit, but
he'll come round In time" He stared
OBVIOUSLY down at the girl now. sitting
up unsupported. while agsuddsb LOOK
of surprised recognition swept across
ais faco.