The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-07-26

The Plalnsman.

The PIaInsmar.
The man was ridins Just below the
summit Of the ridge. occasionally up
Hitting his head so as 20 gaze across
the crest. shading his eyes with one
hand. to thus better concentrate bis
vision. Both horse and rider plainly
exhibited signs Of weariness. but
overy movement OF the latter showed
ceaseless vigilance. his glance roam
tng 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 q
brief trot under the impetus OF tho
spur.
The rider was a man approaching
thirty. somewhat slender and long of
limb. but possessing broad. squared
shoulders above a deep chest. sitting
the saddle easily In plainsman fash
fon. yet with an ersctness OF carriage
which suggested military training.
The face under the wide brtm OF the
weathersworn slouch hat Was clean
shaven. Drowned by sun and wind.
and strongly marked. the chin slight
~ prominent, the mouth flrm. the gray
eyes full Of character and daring. His
dress was that Of rough service. plain
leather chaps showing marks of
I'd low at ths mock. with kerchief
.knotted loosely about the sinewy
bronsed throat. At one hip dangled
the holster OF a "forty-ive." on the
other hung a canvas-covered canteen
His was figure and face to be noted
anywhere. q man from whom you
would expect both thought and action.
and one who seemed to exactly At
into his wild environment.
Where be rode was the very west
ern extreme OF the prairie country.
biiiowed like the sea. and from on the
crest OF its higher ridges. the wide
level sweep OF the plains was visible,
attending like vast brown ocean to
the foothills Of the far-away noun.
tains. Yet the actual commencement
OF that drear. barren expanse was
fully ten miles distant. while all
about where he rode the conformation
vas irregular. comprising narrow val.
feys and swelling mounds. with here
and there a sharp ravine. riven from
the rock and invisible until one drew
mp startled az It's very brink The
general trend OF depression was un-
doubtedly southward leading toward
fhe valley OF the Arkansas. yet irregu.
lar ridges occasionally cut across,
adding 70 the confusion. The entire
surrounding landscape presented the
same aspect with no special object
upon which the eye could rest for
Euidance-no tree. no upheaval OF
rock. no popularity OF summit. no
snake-like trail-all about extended
the same dull. dead monotony OF
brown. sunbaked hills. with slightly
greener depressions lying between.
tnterspersed by patches OF sand or the
white CLEAN OF alkali II was a
dreary. deserted land. parched under
the hot summer sun. frightened BY no
vegetation. excepting sparse punches
OF burfalo grass or an occasional
stunted sage bush. and disclosing no
where the slightest sign OF human
habitation.
The rising sun redeemed the crest
OF the hills. and the rider. hating lis
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 the saddle. sweeping his
syes. inch by inch. along the line OF
fhe horizon. until the entire circuit
had been completed. Then his com.
pressed lips smiled slightly. his hand
unconsciourly patting the horses
neck.
i reckon we're still alone. old girl
ne said quietly. a bit OF Southern
drawi In the voice. We'll try for
che trail. and take II easy"
He swung stiffy out OF the saddle
and with reins dangling over his
shoulder. began the slower advance
on foot. the exhausted horse trailing
behind His was not a situation in
which one could feel certain OF safety.
for any ridge might conceal the wary
foemen he sought to avoid. yet he pro-
eeeded now with renewed confidence
VI was the summer OF 1868. and the
place the very heart OF the Indian
country. with every separate tribe
ranging between the Yellowstone and
ihe Brazos. either restless or openly
on the warpath. Rumors OF atrocities
were being retold the length and
breadth OF the border. and every re-.
port drifting In 70 either fort or set.
fiement only added 10 rho alarm. For
once at least the Plains Indians had
discovered common cause. tribal dif.
ferences had been adjusted I'm war
against the white invaders. and Kio.
was. Comanches. Arapatoes Che.
ennes and Sioux had become welded
together I'm savage brOtherhood p