The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1911-07-18
Copyright, A. c. McClurg 4 Co.. 1900
CHAPTER I.
The Plalnsman.


The man was riding Just below the
summit of the ridge. occasionally up
lifting his head so as to gaEe across
the crest, shading his eyes with one
hand, to thus better concentrate his
vision. Both horse and rider plainly
exhibited signs Of WEAKNESS, but
every movement OF the latter showed
ceaseless vigilance. his glance roam
Ing the barren ridges. a brown Win
chester lying cooked across the saddle
pommel, his left hand taut on the
rein. Yet the horse he bestrode
scarcely required restraint, advancing
slowly, with head hanging low, and
only occasionally breaking into a
brief trot under the impetus Of the
spur.
The rider was a man approaching
thirty. somewhat slender and long OF
limb, but possessing broad, squared
shoulders above q deep chest, sitting
the saddle easily in plainsman fash
ion. yet with an erectness Of carriage
which suggested military training.
The face under the wide brim OF the
weather-worn SLOUGH hat was clean.
shaven, Drowned by sun and wind,
and strongly marked. the chin slight
ly prominent. the mouth Arm. the gray
| eyes full OF character and daring. His
dress was that of rough service. plain
leather chaps" showing marks OF
hard usage, a gray wooden shirt turn
ed low at the neck. with a kerchief
| I'D oil n
bronzed throat. At one hip dangled
the holster of a "forty-hve," on the
other hung canvas-covered canteen.
His was figure and face to be noted
anywhere, a man from whom you
would expect both thought and action,
and one who seemed to exactly MT
into his wild environment.
Where he rode was the very west
ern extreme of the prairie country,
beloved like the sea, and from OF the
crest of its higher ridges. the wide
level sweep of the plains was visible.
extending like vast brown ocean to
the foothills of the far-away noun
tains. Yet the actual commencement
OF that drear, barren expanse was
about where he rode the conformation
was irregular comprising narrow val
leys and swelling mounds, with here
and there a sharp ravine, riven from
the rock and invisible until one drew
up startled at its very brink The
general trend OF depression was I'M
doubtedly southwark leading toward
the valley OF the Arkansas, yet irregu-
lar ridges occasionally cut across,
adding to the confusion. The entire
surrounding landscape presented the
same aspect. with no special object
upon which the eye could rest for
guidance-no tree, no upheaval OF
rock. no popularity of summit, no
snake-like trail-all about extended
the same dull, dead monotony OF
, brown, sun-baked hills. with slightly
greener depressions lying between
interspersed by patches of sand or the
white CLEAN of alkah 1t was a
dreary. deserted land, parched under
the hot summer sun, frightened by nc
vegetation, excepting sparse punches
OF buffalo grass or an occasional
etunted sage bush, and disclosing no
where the slightest sign Of human
habitution
The rising sun Redeemed the crest
OF the hills, and the rider, halting his
willing horse, sat motionless, gazing
steadily into the southwest. Appar
| emily he perceived nothing there un
] usual, for he slowly turned his body
| about in TIE saddle sweeping his
! eyes. inch by inch, along The line o.
| the horizon. Until the entire circuit
had been completed. Then his com
pressed lips smiled slightly. his hant
1 unconsciously patting tho horses
neck.
81 reckon we're still alone, old girl,
he said quietly, q bit Of Southern
drawl in the voice. "We1l try fol
the trail, and take II easy"
He swung stiniy out OF the saddle
and with reins dangling over hi
shoulder, began the slower advanc,
on foot, the exhausted horse trailin,
behind His was not "A situation II
which one could feel certain OF safety
for any ridge might conceal the war!
foemen he sought to avoid, yet he pro
ceeded now with renewed confidence
II was the summer of 1868, and tn,
place the very heart OF the Indian
country, with every separate trib'
ranging between the Yellowstone an'
the Brazos, either restless or openl!
10 on the warpath Rumors OF atrocities
d were being retold the length ant
u, breadth of the border. and every re
port drifting In to either fort or set
ID Element only added to the alarm Fo
z, once at least the Plains Indians hat
discovered common cause, tribal diff
- ferences had been adjusted In wa
st against the white invaders. and Kio
., was. Comanches. Arapahoes, Chey
ennss and Sioux had become welde,
d together in savage brotherhood. II
,r oppose them were the scattered an,
unorganized settlers lining the NOR