Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-06-26

straighten out this affair" He bowed
again, and turned stiffly toward Ham
lin. who had dismounted. his manner
instantly changing. He was a short,
heavily built man, cleanly shaver.
with dark. arrogant eyes. and promi-
nent chin.
You are a sergeant of the Seventh,
you said" he began brusquely. What
we're you doing here?"
MY troop is stationed at Fort
Union" was the quiet response.
carried dispatches to Devere, and
while there was requested by Major
Mcdonald to intercept his daughter
and turn her back"
Were you subject to Major Melon
aids orders?"
1T was not an order. but re-
quest"
"oh. indeed; mere pleasure ex-
cursion."
1T has hardly turned out that way,
sir, and conditions seemed to justify
my action"
THAT is for others to determine.
When was the attack nader"
Just before shutdown last evening.
The driver and guard escaped on the
lead horses, and the wheelers ran
away, wrecking the coach"
There we're four passengers?"
YES; we fought, them of until
after dark. although the Mexican was
killed by the first fire. don't know
when the other man got his"
who were they?"
Gonzales ran high-ball game at
Santa Fe; the other, Moylan. was
post-sutler at Fort Mercy"
How many Indians? Who were
they?"
About thirty; we must have killed
five or six. 1t was hardly more than
daylight when they left, and could
not tell Just how many bodies they
strapped on the ponies. They we're q
mixed bunch OF young bucks. princi-
pally Arapahoes, led by Roman Nose
Went west. hey?"
Yes, sir"
The lieutenant turned his gaze up
the river, and then looked at WATSON.
who remained seated in the saddle.
Must be the same lot Maxwell told
US about up on Pawnee Fork, Sam"
he said at last. "He viii be likely to
cut their trail some time today. We
knew a bunch had headed south, but
didn't suppose they had got as far as
this already. Better leave Maxwell to
run them In, suppose? Our orders
are to return to Dodge"
They haven't three hours the
start" ventured Hamlin in surprise,
'and cannot travel fast with so many
of their ponies doubly loaded"
THAT is for me to decide" staring
Insolently. "and understand my duty
without any advice. Is there any dam
age done west OF hereT'
THE station at the crossing is burn
ed; two dead men there: don't know
what became of the third"
Then 1t is just as | thought: those
fellows will turn north before they get
that far. and will run straight into
Maxwell. What do you say. SAM"
The scout lolled carelessly in the
saddle. his eyes on the river, his lean.
brown face expressionless.
II reckon as how II don't make no
great difference what | say" he an
swered soberly Yer amt taken no
advice frum me yit, fur as ! remem-
Der. But IL yer really want ter know,
this time. my notion is them bucks
will most likely hide in the bluffs
till night, an then sneak past Max
well after it gifts good an dark. II
this yere wus my outfit now, I'd Just
naturally light on to the trail fast,
orders er no orders, reckon It's In
juns we cum out after, an don't sup
pose the war department would find
any fault II we found few"
The blood surged into the lieuten-
ants face. but opposition only served
to increase his obstinacy.
CTo BE coNTINUED)