Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-03-07
CHAPTER xxxIll-(contInued.)

BY this time Keith had reached
definite decision as to his course. II
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
them In the present shape OF his party
: their horses worn out. and Waite
reeling giddily In the saddle. II Haw-
ley's outfit crossed the upper ford. to-
ward which they were evidently head
ing. and struck through the sand hills,
then they we're 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
" to personally take up the trail in
search for Christie Maclaire It must
have been HaWley then who had lett
the party and ridden east. and up to
that time he had not found out his
mistake. Yet II 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"
W ate was now suffering so acute
/ " they were obliged to halt before
4 gaining sight OF the river, finding. for
tunately. water-hoie fed by spring.
Il 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 am" he declared,
y
and we'll never get through to the
Salt Fork without fresh horses. Be-
4 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 What's more, we
won't lost much time-it's shorter
ride from there to the cabin than from
here
8y morning the General was able to
iii his saddle again. and leaving him
with sNeb to follow slowly, the others
spurred forward. discovered an outlet
through the blum into the valley, and
crossed the Santa Fe Trail. 1t 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
Il the river. There were traces of two
trails leading to the spot. one being
that OF the same i've horses they had
been following so long the other not
40 easily read. as It had been tray-
ersed In both directions. the different
hpof marks celebrating each other
Bristoe. creeping about on hands and
knees. studied the signs with the eyes
Of an Indian.
You kin see the difrrence we're
whar the ground is soft. Cap" he said.
pointing to some tracks palmer than
the Others. This we're boss had .
rider. but the rest Of EN- was led:
thet,s why they've bungled up Their
trail so An 1t want Their same
bunch thet went back east what come
from thar see thet split hoof. thar
ain't no split hoof printing Their other
way but we're is the mark OF the crit
ter thet puts her foot down SO fur
outside thet we've been traiiin' from
sheridan. an she's printing east an
being led. NOV, let's see whar the