Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-05-01

moving with spirit. the drivers foot
on the brake. when the stage took
sudden plunge down sloping bank
where the valley perceptibly narrowed.
To the left. beyond a fiat expanse OF
brown. sun-scorched grass. flowed
the widely-spreading waters OF the Ar
kansas. barely covering the treacher-
Gus sandy bottom, and from the other
side came the more distant CLEAN OF
alkali plains: to the right arose the
bluffs. here both steep and rugged.
completely shutting on the view. bar
rem of vegetation except for few
scattered patches OF grass. Suddenly
man rode out Of a rift In the bank,
directly In front. and held up his hand.
Surprised. startled, the driver In
simultaneously clamped on his brake.
and brought his horses to quick
stop: the conductor. nearly fiung 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
ly, the animal seemingly barely able
to move, and swung out of the saddle
beside the front wheel. staggering a
bit as though mis- limbs we're cramped
as his feet felt the ground.
I'm from Fort Cnion." 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
were burned last night"
The devil you say" burst out the
driver hoarsely. his startled eyes
sweeping the horizon. "lnjuns? ?"
Sure. plenty OF signs. but 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
of the bluffs yonder 1t had been wiped
out. Their l thought about this stage
going west today. and came on to meet
you. Must have ridden a hundred an
twenty miles since yesterday; the
mustang Is all in"
Moylan stuck his head QUO the near
est window
Look like they had much of a fight
at the Crossing?" he asked
mot much: more like a 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 it 30 seri.
ous-if those Northern Indians have
broken loose there Is going to be war
this time tor sure"
The men on the box looked at each
other questioningly.
II don't see no use tryin' to go on.
Jake, do your" asked the driver sober
ly. Even II we do git through. thar
amt no hosses to be had"
The other shook his head. rubbing
his gun-stock
Most likely those same red devils
are layin' for us now somewhar be-
tween yere an Low Water; whar the
trail runs In between them two big
rocks. most probable" he concluded
mot havin' no ha'r to lose. I'm fer
goin' back"
With an oath Of relief. the driver re-
leased his brake and skilfully swung
the leaders around. the coach groan.
Ing as II took the sharp turn. The
man on the ground caught a swiftly
passing glimpse OF the young won.
ans face within. and strode hurriedly
forward as the coach started.
Hold on there. pardner." he com
manded sternly. This poor bronc'
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, fiinging It to the
coach roof, the bride followed. and
then. with slap on the haunch OF the
released animal he strode to the stage
door, thrust his Henry rifle within
and took the vacant seat beside Con
zales. With a sudden crack of the
drivers whip the four horses leaped
forward. and the coach careened on
the slope of the trail. causing the pas
sengers to clutch wildly to keep from
being precipitated into mass on the
floor. AS the traces Strengthened
Miss Molly, clinging desperately to q
strap. caught her first fair glance al
the newcomer His hat was tilted
back. the light revealing lines OF