The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-03-28


II l should go myself it would mean
q court-martial."
Travers stared into the darkness
through the open door. sucking at his
pipe.
by George. you are in a pickle"
he acknowledged slowly. Il supposed
she had been headed OF long ago.
Haven't heard you mention the mat
ter since we first got here. Where
do you suppose the lass is by now?"
Near as l can tell she would leave
Ripley the 18TH"
"Humph! Then starting tonight. a
good rider might intercept her at
Fort Dodge. She would be in no dan
ger travelling alone for that distance.
The regular stages are running yet
l s%uppose?"
Yes; SO far as I know"
Under guard?"
"Only from the Caches to Fort
Union; there has been no trouble
along the lower Arkansas yet The
troops from Dodge are scouting the
country north. and we are supposed
to keep things clear Of hostiles down
this way"
Supposed to-yes; but we can't
patrol five hundred miles Of desert
with a hundred men, most OF them
dough-boys. The devils can break
through any time they get ready
you know that. At this minute there
isn't a mile Of safe country between
Dodge and Union. II she was my
daughter
You'd do what?" broke in Melon
aid, jumping to his feet. I'D give my
life to know what to dol"
why, I'd sent somebody to meet
her-to turn her back II that was pos
sible. Peyton would look after her
there at Ripley until you could ar
range"
That's easy enough to say. Travers.
but tell me who is there to send? Do
you lance t know an enlisted man
out yonder who would do-whom you
would trust to take are OF a young
girl alone?"
The captain bent his head on one
hand, silent for some minutes.
lucy II q SO06A AOtp A1oJSAt nDs =
a fact, when you stop to call the roll.
Those recruits we got at Leavenworth
were mostly rough-necks-seven OF
them in the guard-house tonight. Our
best men are all out" with q wave
OF his hand to the south. IT'S only
the riff-ra1 we've got left, at De
vere."
uV1. .c~N go
The captain rubbed his lame leg
regretfully.
mo; I'd risk 1t II I could only ride
but I couldn't sit a saddle"
And my duty is here; 1t would cost
me my commission"
There was a long thoughtful silence
both men moodily staring out
through the door. Away In the dark
ness unseen s%entinels called the hour
Then Travers dropped n hand or
the others knee.
"Dan," he said swiftly. how abou'
that fellow who came In with dispatch
es from Union just before dark? HI
looked like a real man.
"I didn't see him. l was down rive
with the wood-cutters all day"
/ Travers got up and paced the floor
| 81 remember now. What do yo'
say? Let's have him In. anyhow. The!
? never would have trusted him fur tina
, ride II he hadn't been the right sort.
He strobe over to the door, withou
waiting an answer. Here, Carter.
he called. do you know where tina
cavalryman is who rode In from For
Union this afternoon"
A face appeared In the glow Q
light, and . gloved hand rose to 81
Lutte.
Hes asleep in BIS shack, sir.
the orderly replied. said he'd bee
on the trail two nights and a day"
Reckon he had. and some riding q
that. Rout him out, will you? Tell hii
the major wants to sec him here q
once"
The man wheeled az II on q pfvo
and disappeared.
1T Carter could only RIDE" besa
Mcdonald, but Travers interrupts
impatiently.
III! But we all know he can
Worst ever saw. must have ortg1ns
ly been a sailor" He slowly renlle
his pipe. Nov. see hero. Dan. Il
your daughter that's to be looked q
ter, and therefore l want you to 81,
this man up for yourself. I don't pr
tend to know anything about him, on
he looks like q soldier, and they mu
think we'll of him at Union" q.
Mcdonald nodded. but without g
thusiasm; then dropped his head in
his hands. In the silence . coyo
howled mournfully not far away; tn,
a shadow appeared on the log ste
= the light Of the candle flashing on
row of buttons.
ut This is the man. sir" said the
be Derby, and stood aside to permit (
other to enter.
IN. CHAPTER n.