Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-03-06
CHAPTER xxxiil.-( contlnued.)

By this time Keith had reached .
definite decision as to his course, II
the fngitives received fresh relay
of horses down there somewhere. and
crossed the Arkansas, he felt positive
{ " sure as to their destination. But 1t
would be useless pushing on after
them in the present shape of his party
their horses worn out. and Waite
sreeling 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 If he had. he would scarcely ven
ture upon taking her there. knowing
that Keith would naturally suspect
4 tie spot But Keith would not be like
" 10 personally take up. the trail in
search for Christie Maclaire. It must
have been Hawley then who had left
the party and ridden east. and up 10
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.
4 Bristoe, who had turned aside to- ex.s
anime the straying horse. came trot-
ting up 5 *. q :5 u 81 t4
e Belonged to their outflt ali right.
Cap he reported, carries the double
cross brand and that shebang is
upon the Smokey; saddle gals still
bleeding ..ss Il Y, ;55 n. q
Waite was now suffering SO acute.
Z ". they were obliged to halt before
gaining sight OF the river. finding. for.
tunately. a water-hole fed by 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.
led 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
necessary care. Keith finally decided
the matter
3 None can be more anxious to reach,
those fellows that | am" he declared.
..but know that country out south.
and well never get through to the
Salt Fork without fresh horses. Be-
sides, as the doctor says, we've got to
! take care Of Waite. II we find things
as | expect wen ride for Carson City,
and re-outdt there What's more, we
won't lost much ume-it's shorter
ride from there to the cabin than from
here"
BY morning the General was able to
SIT his saddle again. and leaving MIN
with Nebl to follow slowly. the others
spurred forward. discovered an outlet.
through the blur into the valley, and
crossed the Santa Fe Trail. 1t was
not easy to discover where those in,
advance had passed this point. but
they found evidence Of a late camp in
ii little grove OF cottonwoods beside
the river. There were traces OF two
trails leading to the spot. one being
B that OF the same Ave horses they had
been following SO long. the other not
30 easily read. as it had been trav-5
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. Il
..'You kin see the difference we're
whar the ground is-soft. Cap. he said,
pointing to some tracks palmer than
the others. This yere boss had 2
rider. hut the rest Of 'em was led i
thet's why they've bungled up Their lei
trail so. An it want Their same
bunch tibet went back east what come
from tharsee thet split hoof! thar
amt no split hoof Printing Their other
way--but we're is the mark of the crit.
ter tibet puts. her foot down SO FUR
outside thetswe've been trailin' from
sheridan. an she's printing east, an
being led. Now, let's see whar = the