The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-02-07
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-
s~uscitatfon. 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 feverish
eagerness, inspired by the constant ad-
monitions of their officer, as well as
IllCll oWh CullOSlly W lCdlh IuO ldCIS
hidden behind this tragedy.
It 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 c~ountenance 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 car 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
a 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
telligence swept into her face.
SIS that him." she questioned, trem-
blingly. "Is-is he dead?"
HE wasn't when we first got here,
but nightly near gone, I'm afraid.
I've been working owe you ever
since"
She shook herself free and sat weak
~ 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 / ever saw. I
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 a wound. SER
geant?" he asked, loudly.
"a mighty ugly slug in the shoulder.
sir; has bled scandalous, but l guess
It's the very luck that's goin' to save
him; cen to be comm out all
right"
The officers brows knitted savagely.
TT begins to look as If this might be
some of our business. What hap
pened? Indians?"
"Yee."
slow far away?"
"T don't know. They caught N in
q canyon somewhere out yonder, may
be three or four days ago; there was
a lot killed, some of them soldiers. My
dad was shot, and then that night he
he got me out up the rocks, and he
he was carrying me In his arms when