Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-01
CHAPTER XXX.
On the Little Bio Horn.

| On tne LttSiS zig norm.
| N troop. guarding. much TO their en-
phstically expressed disgust. the more
| slowly moving paek-train. were follow
ing Clusters advancing column OF
horsemen down the right bank Of tbs
Little Big Horn. The troopers. car
bines at knee. sitting erect in their
saddles. their faces Drowned by the
hot winds OF the plains. were riding
| steadily northward. Beside them.
mounted upon a rangy chestnut. Brant
kept lis watchful eyes on those scat
tered 1snkers dotting the summit OF
the nearby biuf. Suddenly one of
these waved his hand eagerly. and the
lieutenant went dashing up the sharp
ascent.
What is 1t. now. Lsne7"
"Somethin movin' out yonder. SIR
and the trooper pointed into the south
east. They're down Ia a couiee now.
reckon; but will be up on a ridge
agin In a minute. l got sight OF 'em
twice stcre / waved"
The officer gazed earnestly in the
direction indicated. and was almost
Immediately rewarded by the glimpse
showing against the lighter back
ground Of sky.
White men," he announced. short
ly. Come with me"
At a brisk trot they rode out, the
trooper tagging pace to the rear. the
watchful eyes OF both men sweeping
suspiciously across the prairie. The
two parties met suddenly upon the
summit Of a sharp ridge and Brant
drew in his horse with an exclamation
of establishment. II was a pathetic
spectacle he stared at--a horse scarce
y able TO stagger forward; on his back.
with feet strapped securely beneath
and hands bound TO the high pommel,
the lips grinning ferociously. perched
misshapen creature clothed as a
man. Beside these. hatless. his shoes
barely holding together, a man OF
slender figure and sunburnt face held
the bride rein. An instant they gazed
at each other. the young oficer's eyes
filled With sympathetic horror. the
other staring alphabetically at his res
cucr.
MY Godl Can this be you. Hamp-
ton? What does it mean? Why are
you here?"
Hampton. leaning against the tren-
bling horse 10 keep erect, slowly lifted
his hand in a semblsnce OF military
salute. Dispatches from Cheyenne.
This is Murphy-went crazy out yon-
der. For Gods sake-water. foodi"
Your canteen. Lanei" exclaimed
Brant- Now hold this cup" and he
dashed into q liberal supply OF
brandy from n pocket-nask Drink
that all down. Hampton"
The man did mechanically as he
was ordered, his hand never relaxing
its grasp OF tho rein Then a CLEAN
Of reawakened intelligence appeared
In his eyes; he glanced up into thu
leering countenance OF Murphy. and
then back at those others. Give me
another for him."
Brant handed to him the filled CUP.
noting as hs did so the strange steadt
ness OF the hand which accented II.
Hampton lifted the tin TO the figure In
the saddle
Drink it." he commanded. curtiy.
every dropl"
For an instant the maniac giared
back az him sullenly: then he appear
ed to shrink in terror. and drank
swiftly.
We can make the rest OF the way
now, Hampton announced. quietly.
Lord. but this has been a tripl"
Lane dismounted at Brant's order
and assisted Hampton TO climb into
lie vacated saddle. Then the trooper
grasped the rein OF Murphy's horse.
and the little party started toward
where the pack-train was hidden In
the valley.
Is Custer here?" said Hampton.
No; that is. not with my party. We
are guarding the pack-train. The 9th
ers are ahead, and Custer. with five
troops, has moved to the right. He
is somewhere among those ridges
back CT the biuff."
The man turned and looked where
the officer pointed. shading his eyes
with his hand.
Can you give me fresh horse. a