The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-05

l
ponies within a radium Of thirty feet.
Anyhow it was five hours before D.
troop came up, and that's what they
found when they got there-Dugan
laid out, as good as dead, and Hamlin
shot twice, and only ten cartridges
left. HELL" he added disgustedly,
land you never even heard of it east
of the Missouri"
There was a flush Of color on the
sergeant's cheeks, but he never NOV
ed.
There was nothing else to do but
what did," he explained simply. ANY
of the fellows would have done the
same if they had been up against it
the way I was. May I ask his eyes
first upon one and then the other in
quiringly, what it was you wanted
of me?'
Mcdonald drew long breath.
Certainly, sergeant, sit down-yes,
take that chair"
He described the situation in a few
words, and the trooper listened quiet
ly until he was done. Travers inter
rupted once, his voice emerging from
a cloud OF smoke AS the major con-
cluded, Hamlin asked a question or
two gravely.
How old is your daughter, sir?"
I'm her twentieth year.
Have you picture of the young
lady?"
The major crossed over to his "a
tigue coat hanging on the wall, and
extracted small photograph from an
inside pocket.
This was taken q year ago." he ex-
planned, land was considered a good
likeness then"
Hamlin took the card in his hands,
studied the face a moment, and then
placed it upon the table.
"You figure she ought to leave Rip
!y on the 1Sth,'' he sal slowly. Then
I shall need to start at once to make
Dodge in time"
You mean to go then? Of course,
you realize ] have no authority to or
der you on such private service"
That's true I'm a volunteer, but
I'll ask you for written order Just
the same in case my troop command
er should ever object, and I'll need a
fresh horse; I rode mine pretty hard
coming up here"
"You shall have the pick of the
stables, sergeant" interjected the cav
airy captain, knocking the ashes
from his pipe. Anything else? Have
YOU had rest enough"
-Four hours and the sergeant
stood up again. All require will be
two days rations, and few more re-
volver cartridges The sooner I'm OIL
the better
It he heard Travers' attempt at
conversation as the two stumbled to-
gether down the dark hill, he paid
small attention. At the stables, aided
by a smoky lantern, he picked out
tough-looking buckskin mustang, with
an evil eye; and, using his own saddle
and bride, he finally led the half-brok-
en- animal outside.
THAT buckskin's the devils own"
protested Travers, careful to keep to
one side.
I'll take it out Of him before morn
Ing" was the reply. Come on, boy!
easy now-easy! How about the "a
tions, captain?"
Garter will have them for you at
the gate of the stockade. Do you know
the trail?"
"Well enough to follow-yes."
Mcdonald was waiting with Carter,
| rx1o 49, hn To
vealed his face.
Remember, sergeant, you are to
make her turn back II you can. Tell
her wish her to do so-yes, this let
ter will explain everything, but she
is a pretty high-spirited girl, and may
take the bit in her teeth-imagine
she'd rather be here with me, and
all that. If she does suppose you'll
have to let her have her own way
the Lord knows her mother always
did. Anyhow you'll stay with her till
she's SAFE
II sure WILL" returned the sergeant,
gathering up his reins. "Good.by to
you"
"Good-by and good luck" and Nc
Donald put out his hand, which the
other took hesitatingly. The next In
slant he was in the saddle, and with
wild leap the startled mustang round.
ed the edge CT the bluff, flying into
the night.
All had occurred so quickly that
Hamlin's mind had not yet fully id.
justed itself to all the details He
was naturally man Of few words, de
Gliding on course Of action quietly.
yet not apt to deviate from any con.
clusion finally reached. But he had
: been hurried, pressed into this ad.
venture, and now welcomed an op
portunity to think 1t all out ccolly.
At first, for a half mile or more
the plunging buckskin kept him busy.
bucking viciously, rearing. leapina
madly from side to side, practising
every known equine trick to dislodge
the grim rider in the saddle. The man