The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-16


as II lame. The tired purslers went
into camp at the same spot but with
out venturing to light any fire, merely
snatching cold bite, and dropping
on to sleep with heads pillowed upon
their saddles.
They were upon the trail again with
the first dimness Of the gray dawn.
wading the waters of the Fork, and
striking forth across the dull level of
brown prairie and white alkali to-
ward the Arkansas. They saw nothing
all day moving In that wide vista
about them, but rode steadily, scarce
ly exchanging a word, determined,
grim, never swerving a yard from the
faint trail. The pursued were moving
slower. hampered, no doubt, by their
lame horse. but were still well In ad-
vance. Moreover, the strain of the
saddle was already beginning to tell
severely on Waite, weakened somewhat
by years, and the pursuers were COM
pelled to halt oftener on his account.
The end Of the second day found them
approaching the broken land border
ing the Arkansas valley, and just be-
fore n1ghtfall they picked up lame
horse. evidently discarded by the
party ahead.
BY this time Keith had reached a
definite decision as to his course. II
the fugiHves received a fresh relay
OF horses down there somew here and
crossed the Arkansas, he felt positive
~ sure as to their destination. But It
would be useless pushing on after
them In the present shape of his party
their horses worn out, and Waite
reeling giddily In the saddle. II Haw-
ley's outfit crossed the upper ford, to-
ward which they were evidently head
Ing, and struck through the sand hills,
then they we're making for the refuge
OF that lone cabin on Salt Fork,
Should this prove true, then 1t was
probable the gambler had not even
yet discovered the identity Of Hope,
for II he had. be would scarcely VEN
ture upon taking her there, knowing
that Keith would naturally suspect
the spot. But Keith would not be like
ly to personally take up the trail In
search for Christie Maclaire 1t must
have been Hawley then who had left
the party and ridden east, and up to
that time he had not found out his
mistake. Yet II he brought out the
fresh animals the chances were that
Hopes identity would be revealed.
Bristoe, who had turned aside to ex-
anime the stray1ng horse, came trot-
ting up.
Belonged to thedr outflt all right,
Cap" he reported, carries the double
cross brand and that shebang is
upon the Smokey; saddle gals still
bleeding"
Waite was now suffering 90 acute
ly they were obliged to halt before
gaining sight Of the river. finding. for
tunately, a water-hole fed by q spring.
As soon as the sick man could be
made comfortable, Keith gave TO the
others his conclusions, and listened TO
what they had to say. Bristoe favor
ed clinging to the trail. even though
they must travel slowly, but Fairbain
insisted that Waite must be taken to
some town where he could be given
the matter.
None can be more anxious TO reach
those fellows that am" he declared.
but know that country out south.
and we'll never get through to the
Salt Fork without fresh horses. Be-
sides. as the doctor says. we've got TO
take care of Waite. If we And things
as I expect Wen ride for Carson City.
and re-outf1t there. What's more, We
won't lost much time-it's q shorter
ride from there TO the cabin than from
here"
BY morning the General was able to
sit his saddle again. and leaving him
with Neb TO follow slowly. the others
spurred forward. discovered an outlet
through the bluti into the valley, and
crossed the Santa Fc Trail. 1t was
not easy to discover where those in
advance had passed this point, but
they found evidence of a late camp In
q little grove of cottonwoods beside
the river. There were traces of two
trails leading to the spot, one being
that of the same FIVE horses they had
been following SO long, the other not
SC easily read, as 1t had been trav-
ersed In both directions, the different
hoof marks obliterating each other.
Bristoe, creeping about on hands and
knees, studied the signs with the eyes
Of an Indian.
You kin see the diffrence yere
whar the ground Is soft, Cap" he said.
pointing to some tracks palmer than
the others. This yere hoss had
rider, but the rest OF 'em was led;
thets why they've bungled up ther
trail 80. An 1t want ther same
bunch thet went back east what come
from thar-see thet split hoof! thar
aint no split hoof printing ther other
WaY-h1f fo ho ri of h~ ortk