River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-02-15
Keith Bent over to Study the Tracks.

forces augmented by two volunteers
both men of experience-Keith, Waite,
Fairbain and Neb departed without
delay, not even pausing to eat but
taking the necessary food with them.
The sun had barely risen when they
took up the trail, Keith, and man
named Bristoe, slightly in advance,
their keen eyes marking every slight
sign left for guidance across the bare
plain. 1t was a comparatively easy
trail to follow, leading directly into
the southwest, the pony tracks cutting
into the sod as though the reckless
riders had punched together, their
horses trotting rapidly Evidently no
attempt had been made at conceal
ment. and this served to convince the
pursuers that Hawley still believed
his captive to be Miss Maclaire, and
that her disappearance would not be
suspected until after nightfall In
that case the trail could not be dis
ing, and with such start, pursuit
would be useless. Tireless, steadily,
scarcely speaking except upon the
business in hand, the pursuers pressed
forward at an easy trot, Keith, in spite
of intense anxiety, with the remem-
brance of old cavalry days to guide
him, insisting upon sparing the horses
as much as possible. This was to be
stern chase and long one, and it
was impossible to tell when they could
procure remounts. The constant swerv-
ing of the trail westward seemed to
shatter his earlier theory, and.
brought him greater uneasiness. Fin
ally he spoke of it to the old plains
man beside him.
What do you suppose those fellows
are heading SO far west for, Ben?
They are taking a big risk of running
into hostiles."
'Oh, | don't know" returned the
other gravely, lifting his eyes to the
far-off sky line. Il reckon from the
news tibet come in last night from
Hays, thar amt no Injuns a rangin
tibet way jist now. They're too blame
busy out on the Arickaree. Maybe
them fellers heerd the same story, an
thet's what makes 'em so bold"
What story? I've heard nothing"
why, it's like this, Cap" drawing
out the words, ''leastways, thet's how
it come inter Sheridan; Sandy For
sythe an his outfit, mostly plainsmen,
started a while ago across Solomon
River an down Beaver Crick, headin'
fer Fort Wallace Over on the Aricka-
rec, the whole damned Injun outfit
jumped 'em. From all / heerd, thar
must a bin nigh onto three thousan
o. the varmints, droppin' on EN- all at
oncet. characterization, with OF
Roman Nose a leadin' 'em. 1t was
shore a good fight, fer the scouts got
onto an island an stopped the bucks.
Two of the fellers got through to
Wallace yist'day, an courier brought
the news in ter Hays. The Injuns had
them boys cooped up thar fer eight
days before them fellers got out, an |
reckon it'll be two or three days more
fore the niger sogers they sent out
ter help ever git thar. So thar won't
be no Injuns long this route we're
travelin', fer the whole kit an ca
Doodle are up thar yit after Sandy.
And you suppose HawIey knew
about this?"
why not, Cap? He was hangin'
round till after ten o'clock las night,
an it was all over town by then.
'Tain't likely he's got an outfit long
with him thet's lost any Injuns.
don't know whar they're bound, no
morn you do, but / reckon they're
reasonably sure they've got a clar
road"
They pulled up on the banks OF
small stream to water their horses.
and ate hastily. The trail led di-
rectly across, and with only the slight