The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-04-26

Inet'S the way 1t looms up ter me, Cap; most likely twas the boss him. self'
 Well, whoever it was, the girl is still with the others, and their trail is the easiest to follow. We'll keep after them"
 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 word, determined, grim, never swerving 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 nightfall they picked up lame horse, evidently discarded by the party ahead.
 By this time Keith had reached a definite decision as to his course. If the fugitives received a fresh relay of horses down there somewhere, and . crossed the Arkansas, he felt positive ly sure as to their destination. But 1t would be useless pushing on after them in the present shape of his party
 
 reeling giddily in the saddle. If Flaw ley's outfit crossed the upper ford, to- ward which they were evidently head ing. and struck through the sand hills, then they were making for the refuge of that lone cabin on Salt Fork. Should this prove true, then it 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 the spot But Keith would not be like ly to 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 to that time he had not found out his mistake. Yet if he brought out the
 
 Hopes identity would be revealed. Bristoe, who had turned aside to ex- anime the straying horse, came trot- ting up.
 Belonged to their outfit 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 SO acute ly 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 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 necessary care. Keith finally decided the matter.
 None can be more anxious to reach those fellows that I am," he declared, but I 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 find things as expect we'll ride for Carson City. and re-outf1t there. Whats moro, we won't lost much time-it's a 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 bluff into the valley, and crossed the Santa Fe Trail. It was not easy to discover where those in advance had passed this point, but they found evidence of late camp in . little grove of cottonwoods beside the river There were traces of two trails leading to the spot, one being that of tho same five horses they had been following % long, the other not so easily read. as it had been trav- ersed in both directions. the different hoof marks obliterating each other. Bristoe creeping about on hands md knees, studied the signs with the eyes of an Indian.
 You kin see the diff'rence yere whar the ground is soft, Cap" he said, pointing to some tracks plainer than the others. This yere hoss had rider. but the rest of 'em was led; thet's why they've bungled up ther trail so. An it want ther same bunch thet went back east what como from thar-see thet split hoof! thar ain't no split hoof p'inting ther other way-but yere Is the mark of the crit ter thet puts her foot down so fur ,f-il fh4f H. Sheridan, an she's p'inting east, an being led. Now, let's sec whar the bunch went from yere with thet split