Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-08-01

the deep imprint OF the ROOFS, Hau
swerved sharply to the left of the
main body, heading directly into the
southeast The plainsman ran for
ward for q hundred yards to assure
himself the man had not circled back;
at that point the animal had been
spurred into lope. Keith rejoined
the others.
Must have been about daylight
they reached here" he said, picking
up his dangling rein. and looking into
the questioning faces about him. The
fellow that rode out yonder alone was
heading straight toward Carson City.
He is going for fresh horses, figure
1t, and will rejoin the bunch some
place down on the Arkansas. The
others intend to keep farther west,
whore they won't be seen. What do
you say. Benz"
"Thet's the way it looms up ter me.
Cap; most likely twas the boss him
self"
Well. whoever it was, the girl is
still with tho others, and their trail
is the easiest to follow. Well keep
after them"
They pushed on hour after hour, as
long as daylight lasted or they could
perceive the faintest trace to follow.
Already half-convinced that he knew
the ultimate destination of the fugi-
uves, Keith yet dare not venture on
pressing forward during the night, thus
possibly losing the trail and being
compelled to retrace their steps. 1t
was better to proceed slow and sure.
Besides, judging from the condition OF
their own horses, the pursued would
be compelled to halt somewhere to
rest their stock also. Their trail even
revealed the fact that they were tray-
cling far less rapidly than at first, al.
though evidently making every effort
to cover the greatest possible dis
tance before stopping. Just as the
dusk shut in close about them they
rode down into the valley of Shaw.
nee Fork, and discovered signs of q
recent camp at the edge of the stream.
Here. apparently. Judging from the
campfire ashes, and the trampled
grass along tho Fork, the party must
have halted for several hours. BY
lighting matches Keith and Bristoe
discerned where some among them
had laid down to sleep, and, through
various signs. decided they must have
again departed some FIVE or six hours
previous. one of their horses limping
as IT lame. The tired pursuers went
into camp at the same spot, but with
out venturing to light any fire. merely
snatching cold bite. and dropping
OF to sleep with heads pillowed upon
their saddles.
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 q 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 we'll in ad-
vance. Moreover, the strain Of the
saddle was already beginning to tell
severely onWaite, weakened somewhat
by years, and the pursuers were com
PEELED to halt oftener on his account.
Tho end OF the second day found them
approaching the broken land border
ing the Arkansas valley and just be-
fore nishtfall they picked up a lame
horse. evidently discarded by the
party ahead.
BY this time Keith had reached
definite decision as to his course. If
the fugitives received 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
their horses worn out, and Waite
Keeling giddily in the saddle. If Haw
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 II 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. 1t 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
fresh animals the chances were that
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"