The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-04-16
= n.v.r NJ, tr,.y,r,,t 49,. .,,,

ing upon his saddle holster as he
leaned over 70 rest. No insignia of
rank served TO distinguish him from
those equally dusty fellows ploddins
gloomily behind, but broad stripe OF
yellow running down the seams OF his
trousers, together With his high boots.
bespoke the cavalry service. while the
front OF his battered campaign hat
bore the decorations of two crossed
sabers. with gilded -" prominent
between. His attire was completed by
a coarse blue shirt. unbottoned at the
throat. about which had been loosely
knotted darker colored silk handker.
chief. and aceoss the back OF the sad
die was fastened uniform jacket, the
single shoulder strap revealed pre-
senting the plain yellow of second
lieutenant.
Attaining TO the summit OF a slight
knoll. whence somewhat wider vista
lay outspread, he partially turned his
face toward the men struggling along
In the rear. while his hand swept
across the dreary scene.
IF that line of trees over yonder
Indicates the course OF the Bear Wa.
ter. Carson" he questioned quietly,
where are we expected to bit tho trail
leading down to the ford?"
The sergeant. thus addressed. a lit.
tie stocky fellow wearing a closely
clipped gray moustache. spurred his
exhausted horse into a brief trot. and
drew up short by the officers side. his
heavy eyes scanning the vague dis
lance. even while his right hand was
uplIfted in perfunctory salute.
There's no trail know about along
this bank. sir" he replied respectfully.
but the big cottonwood with the dead
branch forking out at the top is the
ford guide"
They rode down In moody silence
into the next depression. and began
YEARLY climbing the long hill opposite.
apparently the last before coming d.
rectly down the banks OF the stream
As his barely moving horse topped the
uneven summit. the lieutenant sudden
ly drew In his rein, and uttering al
exclamation OF surprise, bent forward.
staring intently down In his immedI.
ate front. For a single instant he APP
peared to doubt the evidence OF his
own eyes; then he swung hastily from
out the saddle, all WEAKNESS forgotten.
my Cod" he cried. sharply. his
eyes suspiciously sweeping the bare
slope. There are two bodies lying
here--white people!"
They lay all doubled up In the coarse
grass, exactly as they had fallen, the
man resting face downward. the
slender figure OF tho girl clasped vice.
like In his arms, with her tightly
closed eyes upturned toward the glar
ing sun. Never once questioning but
that he was confronting the closing
scene OF a grewsome tragedy. the thor
oughly aroused lieutenant dropped
upon his knees beside them. hts eyes
already moist with sympathy. his ant'
ious fingers feeling for possible
heartbeat. A moment of hushel,
breathless suspense followed. and then
he began fiinging terse. eager com
mands across his shoulder to where
his men were clustered.
fftft+ 1dIoou. Itiiyf NUM- Aay
hold quick. and break this fellows
clasp" he cried. briefly. THE girl
retains a spark Of life yet, but the
mans arms fairly crush her"
With all the rlgidity OF actual death
those clutching hands held their tena-
cious grip. but the aroused soldiers
wrenched the interlaced fingerr apart
with every tenderness possible IN such
emergency, shocked at noting tue ex.
preston OF intense agony stamped
upon the mans face when thus ex-
posed to view The whole terrible
story was engraven there-how he
had toiled, agonized. suffered. before
finally yielding to the inevitable and
plunging forward In Inconsistencies
written as leglbly as though by pen.
Carson. who in his long service had
witnessed much OF death and suffer.
ing, bent tenderiy above him. seeking
for some faint evidence OF lingering
life. The anxious lieutenant, bare
headed under the hot sun-giare. strobe
hastily across from beside the uncon'
scious but breathing girl, and stood
gazing doubtfully down upon them-
ANY life, sergeant" he demanded
his voice rendered husky by sympathy.
He doesn't seem entirely gone. sir"
and Carson glanced up into the ON
GERS face. his own eyes filled with
feeling. Il can distinguish just wee
bit of breathing. but it's 80 weak the
pulse hardly stirs."
what do you make Of itf"
Starving at the bottom. sir. The
only thing l see now is to get them
down to water and food"
The young ofilcer glanced swiftly
about him across that sreary picturs
OF su.i-burnt. desolate prairie stretch
ing in every direction. his eyes paus'
ing slightly as they surveyed the tore
OF the distant cottonwoods.
"Sling blankets between your horses
he commanded. decisiyely. "Movs
quickly. lads. and we may save one o.