Eastern Colorado times., 1913-07-11

Pockets turned inside out" he said,
glancing back. "The poor devil!"
Had quite row here" returned
the scout. "That stain over thar Is
blood. an 1t never come from him, fer
he died whar he fell. Most likely he
shot furst, or used knife. The girls
with 'em anyhow; I reckon this yere
was her ribbon; that footprint is
sure"
He stirred up the scattered ashes,
and then passed over and looked at
the dead man.
What do yer think, Sergeant?"
They stopped here to eat, maybe
five hours ago." pushing the ashes
about with his toe. "The fire has been
out that long. Then they got into a
quarrel-Cunnors and Duront-for he
was shot with Colt '45;' no Indian
ever did that. Then they struck out
again with two led horses. 1 should
say they were three or four hours
ahead. travelling SLOW"
Good enough" and Wasson patted
his arm. You're plainsman all
right. Brick You kin sure read signs
Thet's just bout the whole story, as
make 1t. Nuthin' fer US to do but
snatch bite an go on. Our hosses
re freshern theirs. No sense our
stoppin' to bury Connors; he amt
worth 1t. an the birds'll take care o
him. The outfit was still a headin'
south-see!"
There could be no doubt of this, as
the shelter Of the sand ridge had pre-
served a plain trail. although a few
yards beyond, the sweeping wind had
already almost obliterated every sign
OF passage. The four men ate heartily
or their cold provender, discussing the
situation in few brief sentences.
Wasson argued that Dupont was head.
Ing for some Indian winter encamp-
ment. thinking to shift responsibility
for the crime upon the savages, thus
permitting him to return once more
to civilization. but Hamlin clung to his
original theory Of a hide-out upon Du-
points old cattle-range. and that a pur.
pose other than the mere robbery of
Mcdonald was in view. All alike, how.
ever. were convinced that the fugi-
tives were seeking the wild bluffs Of
the Canadian river for concealment.
1t was not yet dark when they again
picked up the trail. rode around the
dead body Of Connors, and pushed for
ward into the maze Of sand. For an
hour the advance was without Incl.
dent, the scout in the lead not even
dismounting. hts keen eyes picking up
the faint Sign" unerringly. Then
darkness shut down, the lowering bank
OF clouds completely blotting the stars,
although the white glisten Of the sand
under foot yielded slight guidance
UP to this time there had been no de-
Walton In direction, and now when the
trail could be no longer DISTINGUISHED
the little party decided on riding
straight southward until they struck
The Cimarron. An hour or two later
the moon arose, hardly visible and vet
frightening the cloud canopy, SO that
the riders could see each other and
proceed more rapidly. Suddenly Was
son lifted his hand, and turned his
face up to the sky.
Snow he announced soberly.
Thought felt it afore. and the winds
changed"
Hamlin turned in the saddle, feeling
already the sharp sting of snow pel.
lets on his face. Before he could even
answer the air vas full Of whiteness.
fierce gust Of wind hurling the fly.
ing particles against them. In an.
other instant they were in the very
heart of the storm, almost hurled for.
ward by the force of the wind, and
blinded by the icy deluge. The pelting
Of the hail startled the horses, and in
spite Of every effort Of the riders. they
drifted to the right, tails to the storm.
The swift change was magical. The
sharp particles Of icy snow seemed to
swirl upon them from every direction,
sucking their very breath, bewilder.
Ing them, robbing them of all sense of
| direction. Within two minutes the
men found it impossible to penetrate
the wintry shroud except for a few
feet ahead of them.
The Sergeant knew what it meant,
for he had had experience of these
| plains storms before.
Halt" he cried, his voice barely
audible in the blast. "Close up, men:
come here to me-lively now! That
you, Wade? Wasson; oh, all right,
Sam. Here, pass that lariat back;
now get grip on 1t, every one of you
and hold to 1t for your lives. Let me
take the lead, Sam; we'll have to run
by compass. Now. then. are you
ready?"