The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-04-26
Keith Bent Over to Study the Tracks.

him. insisting upon sparing the horses as much as possible. This was to be a stern chase and long one, and 1t 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 1t to the old plains man beside him.
 What do you suppose those fellows are heading so far west for. Ben? They are taking big risk of running into hostiles.''
 "Oh, I don't know" returned the other gravely, lifting his eyes to tho far-off sky line. T reckon from the news thet come in last night from Hays, thar aint no Injuns a rang1n' thet 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" drawling 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, headfn' 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 'em all at oncet, hell-bent-fer-election, with or Roman Nose a leadin' 'em. It 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 I reckon it'll be two or three days more fore the nigger 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 poodle are up thar yit after sandy"
 And you suppose Hawley knew about this?"
 Why not, Cap? He was hangin' round till after ten o'clock las night, an 1t was all over town by then. Faint 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 I reckon they're reasonably sure they've got a clar road"
 They pulled up on the banks of a small stream to water their horses, and ate hastily. The trail led di- rectly across, and with only the slight est possible delay they forded the shallow water, and mounted the op- posite bank. A hundred yards farther on Bristoe refined up suddenly, point ing down at the trail.
 One hoss left the bunch here,' he declared positively. Keith swung him. self out of the saddle, and bent over to study the tracks. There was no doubting the evidences single horse the only one shod in the bunch with a rider on its back. judging from the deep imprint of the hoofs. had swerved sharply to the left of the main body, heading directly into the southeast The plainsman ran for ward for 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 wonder alone was heading straight toward Carson City. He Is going for fresh horses, I figure 1t. and will rejoin the bunch some nlsce cc-n on t--e Arkansas. TtEc