Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-12-12


moving with spirit, the drivers foot
on the brake, when the stage took a
sudden plunge down a slipping bank
wnere the valley perceptibly narrowed.
10 the left, beyond fiat expanse of
brown, sun-scorched grass, flowed
the w1dely-spreading waters of the Ar
Kansas, barely covering the treacher-
GUS sandy bottom, and from the other
side came the more distant CLEAN of
alkaH plains; to the right arose the
bluffs, here both steep and rugged,
completely shutting off the view, bar
rem of vegetation except for a few
scattered patches of grass Suddenly
man rode out of rift in the bank,
directly in front, and held up his hand.
Surprised, startled, the driver in
spontaneously clamped on his brake,
and brought his horses to a quick
stop; tho conductor, nearly flung from
his seat. yanked his gun forward.
None of that now" called out the
man In saddle quickly. both hands up
lifted to show their emptiness. "This
Is no hold-up. I've got news"
He spurred his pony forward SLOW
", the animal seemingly barely able
to move. and swung out of the saddle
beside the front wheel, staggering
DIT as though his limbs were cramped
Rs his feet felt the ground.
I'm from Fort Union" he said,
Seventh Cavalry, sent through. by
way Of Cimarron Springs. There. is
hell to pay west of here; the stations
at Arkansas Crossing and Low Water
we're burned last night"
The devil you say, . burst out the
driver hoarsely, his startled eyes
sweeping the horizon. "Injuns?"
Sure. plenty Of signs, but l haven't
seen any bucks myself. AS soon as
discovered what had happened at the
Crossing struck out on to the pla-
teau, and came around that way to
warn those fellows at Low Water. But
when ! got sight of that station from
OFF the bluffs yonder it hadsbeen wiped
out. Then thought about this stage
going west today, and came on to meet
you. Must have ridden hundred an
twenty miles since yesterday; the
mustang is all In
Moylan stuck his head out the near
est window.
Look like they had much of fight
ut the Crossing?" he asked.
Not much; more like night raid:
two whites killed. and scalped.@ The
third man either was taken away, or
his body got burnt in the building.
Horses all gone"
What tribe?"
'Arapahoes, from the way they
'scalped that's what made 1t SO seri-
"ous-if those Northern Indians have
broken loose there Is going to be war
this time for sure.''
Tho men on the box looked at each
other questioningly.
don't see no use -tryin' to go on,
Jake. do you 2" asked the driver sober
ly. Even If we do git through, thar
amt no bosses to be had
The other shook his head, rubbing
his gun-stock.
Most likely those same red devils
are layin' for US now somewhat be-
tween we're an Low Water; whar the
TRAIL runs In between them two big
rocks. most probable" he concluded
Not havtn' no ha'r to lose, I'm fer
.goins back
With an oath of relief, the driver re-
leased his brake and lskilfully swung
the leaders around, the coach groan-
tng4as It took the sharp turn. The
ma2. on the ground caught swiftly
passing glimpse Of the young won.
ans face within. and strobe hurriedly
forward - the coach started.
Hold on there. pardner." he com,
manded ssternly. This poor bronze
won't travel another mile. There's
plenty of room for me inside, and I'll
turn the tired devil loose. Hold on
say!"
The driver once again slapped on
the brake. growing and reluctant, his
anxious eyes searching the trail In
both directions. Hamlin quietly un.
cinched his saddle. ainging 1t to the
coach roof: the bride followed, and
then with slap on the hauneh Of the
released animal. he strobe to the stage
door, thrust his Henry rife within
and took the vacant seat beside Con,
zales. With, ., sudden, crack of, the
drivers whip the four horses leaped
forward and the coach. careened on
hesslope OF the trail. causing the pas.
sengers to clutch wildly to keep from
being preoipitated into mass on the
floor. = As the traces Strengthened,
Miss Molly. clingfng desperately to .
straD. caught her first fair, glance at
the newcomer. His hat was tilted
back. the light revealing lines Of
WEAKNESS and q coating of the gray.
powdery dust Of the alkan desert, but
beneath 1t appeared the brown, sun
scorched skin. while the gray eyes
looking straight at her. were resolute
and smiling. His rough shirt, open at
the throat, might have been the prod
uct of any suffers counter; he wore
no jacket, and the broad yellow stripe
down the leg of the faded blue trou-
pers alone proclaimed him soldier.
He smiled across at her, and she low
erred hor ouoc uyhi1a bfo cv1oraa