The Southern herald., 1913-07-11

, " WING lADAA A4G HGNAp q SCAAAN57
sion that would clear his name. He
knew his man at last-knew him, and
would track him now with all the pitt
less ingenuity of a savage, Once he
could stand erect, absolved of dis
grace, man again among men, he
would ignore the uniform of the ranks,
and go to her with all the pride of his
race. Ay! and down in his heart he
knew that she would welcome his COM
ing; that her eyes would not look at
the uniform, but down into the depths
of his own.
He thought of 1t all as he paced the
floor, or stared into the fire, while out
side the wind ragged and howled, piling
the snow against the cabin front, and
whirling In mad bursts up the valley
1t would be death to face the fury OF
II on those open plains. There was
nothing left him but to swear. and
pace back and forth. Twice he and
Hughes fought their way to the cor
raj, found the horses sheltered in 9
little cove, and brought them food
and water. The struggle to accom-
plish this was sufficient proof Of the
impossibillty Of going farther. Elk
hausted and breathless they staggered
back into the quietness Of the cabin
feeling as though they had been beateT
by clubs. Once, desperate to attempi
something, Hamlin suggested search
ing for the bodies of Wasson anC
Wade, but Hughes shook his head
staring at the other as though hall
believing him demented. The Ser
geant strobe to the door and looked
out into the smother of snow; ther
came back without word Of protest
Carroll improved steadily, complain
ing Of pain where the frost had nipped
exposed flesh, yet able to sit up, and
eat heartily. There remained
numbness In his feet and legs, how
ever, which prevented his standing
alone. and both the others realized
that he would have to be left behind
when the storm abated Hughes would
go without doubt; on this point the
Sergeant was determined. He did not
altogether like or trust the man; he
could not blot from memory the cow
ardly shot which killed Wasson, nor
entirely rid himself Of fear that he,
himself, had failed an old comrade, in
not revenging his death; yet one
thing was clear-the mans hatred for
lie Fevre made him valuable. Treach-
erous as he might be by nature, now
his whole soul was bent on revenge.
Moreover he knew the lay Of the land
the trail the fugitlves would follow
and to some extent Black Kettles
camp. Little by little Hamlln drew
from him every detail of LIE Fevre's
life in the cattle country, becoming
more and more convinced that both
men were thieves, their herds largely
stolen through connivance with In
dians. Undoubtedly LIE Fevre was
the bigger rascal Of the two, and pos
sessed greater influence because of
his marriage into the tribe.
1t was the second midnight when
the wind died down. Hamlin, sleeping
fitfully, seemed to sense the change;
he rose, forced the door open, and
peered out eagerly. There was light
ness to the sky, and all about. the un-
broken expanse of snow sparkled in
cold crystals Nothing broke the
white desolation but the dark waters
Of the river still unfrozen, and the
gaunt limbs Of the cottonwoods, now
standing naked and motionless. The
silence was profound, seeming almost
painful after the wild fury of the past
days. He could hear the soft purr of
the water, and Carroll's heavy breath
ing. And 1t was cold, bitterly cold
the chill of 1t penetrating to his very
bones. But for that he had no care
his mind had absorbed the one impor-
tant fact; the way was open, they
could CO. He shook Hughes roughly
into wakefulness, giving utterance to
sharp, tense orders, as though he
dealt with man of his own troop.
Turn out, lively. now. Yes, the storm
Is over. It's midnight, or a little after,
and growing cold. Put on your heavy
stuff, and bring up the two best
horses. Come, now; you'll step of
quicker than that, Hughes, If you ride
with me. I'll have everything ready
by the time you get here. Eat! He'll!
Wen eat in the saddle! What's that,
Carroll?"
"Ye amt a-goin' to leave me yere
alone, are ye, Sergeant"
NO. there'll be two horses to keep
you company. You've got snap,
man; plenty to eat, and good fire
what more do you want-a nurse
Hughes, what, in the name of Heaven,
are you standing there for? Perhaps
: you would like to have me stir you
! up. will If those horses are not here
in ten minutes"
fTn pIH rnNrrTNrrrI-rN