The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-02-29
CHAPTER XXXVll.
At the Water-Hole.


At the Water-HoIe.
Up from the far, dim southwest
they rode slowly, silently, wearied
still by the exertions of the past night,
and burned by the fierce rays Of the
desert sun. No wind Of sufficient force
had blown since Keith passed that
way, and they could easily follow the
hoof prints of his horse across the
sand waste. Bristoe was ahead, hat
brim drawn low, scanning the horizon
line increasingly. Somewhere out in
the midst of that mystery was hidden
tragedy, and he dreaded the knowl.
edge of its truth. Behind him Fair.
balm and Hope rode together, their lips
long since grown silent, the man ever
glancing uneasily aside at her, the
girl dropping slightly in the saddle,
with pale face and heavy eyes. Five
prisoners, dashed together, the bind.
ing rope fastened to the pOmmels OF
the two Bar x" mems saddles, were
punched together, and behind all came
Neb, his black face glistening in the
heat.
Suddenly Bristoe drew rein, and
rose to the full length in the stirrups,
shading his eyes from the suns glare.
as he stared ahead. Two motionless
black spects were visible-yet were
they motionless? or was it the heat
waves which seemed to yield them
movement? He drove in his spurs,
driving his startled horse to the
summit Of low sand ridge, and again
halted, gazing intently forward. He
was not mistaken-they were horses.
Knowing instantly what it meant
those riderless animals drifting dere-
lict in the heart of the desert-his
throat dry with fear, the scout
wheeled, and spurred back to his
party, quickly resolving on a course
of action. Hawley and Keith had
met; both had fallen, either dead OF
wounded. A moments delay now
might cost life; he would need Fair.
balm, but he must keep the girl back,
II possible. But could he? She
Strengthened up in the saddle as he
came squirting toward them; her eyes
wide open, one hand clutching at her
throat
Doctor" he called as soon as he
was near enough, his horse circling.
thar is somethin' shown out yon.
der I'd like ter take look at, an
reckon you better go long. The mig
ger kin COM up ahead yere with Miss
Waite"
She struck her horse, and he
plunged forward, bringing her face
to face with Bristoe.
What Is It? Tell me, what is it?"'
"Nothin' but loose boss, Miss"
"A horse! here on the desert?"
looking about, her eyes dark with hor.
ror. "But how could that be? Could
could it be Captain Keith's?"
Bristoe cast an appealing glance at
Fairbain, hopping his face vigorously.
not knowing what to say, and the 9th.
er attempted to turn the tide.
mot likely-not likely at all-no
reason why 1t should be-probably
just stray horse-you stay back
here. Miss Hope-Ben and will find
out, and let you know"
mo, I'm going" she cried, sitting Q
sob in her throat. 1T would kill me
to wait here"
She was OF before either might
raise hand or voice in protest, and
they could only urge their horses in
effort to overtake her. the three ~
cling forward fetlock deep In sand.
Mounted upon . swifter animal Fair
balm forged ahead; he could see the
two horses now plainly, their heads
uplifted, their reins dangling. With
out perceiving more he knew already
what was waiting there on the sand,
and swore fiercely, squirting his horse
mercilessly, forgetful of all else. even
the girl, in his intense desire to reach
and touch the bodies. He had begged
to do this himself, to be privileged
to seek this man Hawley, to kill him
but now he was the physician, with no
other thought except hope to save.
Before his horse had even stopped he
flung himself from the saddle, ran
forward and dropped on his knees be-
side Keith, bending his ear to the
chest, grasping the wrist in his fn-
gers. AS the others approached, he
glanced nn no conception. now OF