The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-13
CHAPTER xXXvl.
Ready to Attack.

There was ford but 1t was rocky
and dangerous, and 80 narrow that
horse after horse slipped aside into
the swift current. bearing his rider
with him into the icy water. Comrades
hauled the unfortunate ones forth
and fires were hastily built under shell
ter of the south bank. Those who
reached the landing dry shared their
extra clothing with those water
soaked, and hot coffee was hastily
served to all alike. Eager as the men
were to push forward, more than an
hour was lost in passage, for the
stream was bank full, the current
rapid and Uttered with quantities OF
floating ice. Some Of these ice cakes
startled the struggling horses and in
fiicted painful wounds. and it was only
by free use of ropes and lariats that
the enlire command finally succeeded
in attaining the southern shore. Shiv-
ering with the cold, the troopers again
found their saddles and pressed grimly
forward on the TRAIL Hamlin, with
five others, led the way along beat
en- track which had been trampled by
the passing herd Of Indian ponies and
plainly marked by the trailing poles
of numerous wfcky-ups.
This led straight away into the
south across the valley of the Canad-
ian, on to the plains beyond. The
snow here was foot deep on a level.
and in places the going was heavy.
AS they advanced. the weather mod
Grated somewhat, and the upper crust
became soft. Before them stretched
the dreary level of the plains, broken
ty occasional ravines and little iso-
lated patches Of trees. No sign OF
Indians was seen other than the de-
serted trail, and confident that the
band had had fully twenty-four hours
start their pursuers advanced as rapid
" as the ground would permit. The
very clearness of the trail was evil
Gence that the Indians had no con-
ception that they were being followed.
Confident of safety in their winter re-
treat, they were making no effort to
protect their rear, never dreaming
there were soldiers within hundreds
Of miles. Whatever report Dupont had
made. it had awakened no alarm. Why
should it? So far as he knew there
were but two men pursuing him into
the wilderness, and both Of these he
believed lying dead In the snow.
Steadily. mile after mile, they rode,
and it was after dark when the little
column was finally halted beside a
stream, where they could safely hide
themselves in avpatch of timber. Tiny
fires we're built under protection Of
the steep banks of the creek, and the
men made coffee. and fed their hun
cry horses. The silence was profound.
It was dark night, although the sur
rounding snow plains yielded a spec
trail light. Major Elliott. drinking cof-
fee and munching bareback with the
troop captain, sent for Sergeant Ham,
lin. The latter advanced within the
glow of the fire, and saluted.
I'VE have been gaining on those
fellows, Sergeant" the Major began,
"and must be drawing close to the
Washita."
"We are travelling faster than they
did, sir" was the reply, because they
had to break trail, and there were
some women and children with them.
I have no knowledge OF this region.
but the creek empties into the Washita
without doubt"
"That would be my judgment.
Sparkling and were just talking 1t
over. / shall wait here until Custer
comes up; my force Is too small to
attack openly, and my orders are not
to bring on an engagement. Custer
has some Usage scouts with him who
will know this country.
'.But, Major ventured Hamlin, I'll
the General follows our trail it will be
hours vet before he can reach here,
and then his. men will be completely
exhausted"