Eastern Colorado times. (Cheyenne Wells, Colo.) 1912-1913, 1913-04-25

out here on the plains. III could not
remain at home with that disgrace
hanging over me-" J.
'sYou must tell me all about It."
Her head lifted suddenly as she
gazed out across the river. shading
her eyes. why. what are those?"
she exclaimed eagerly. there. moving
on the bluffs opposite?"
His glance swept to the northward.
and he was as instantly the soldier
again. Far away on the upper plateau.
clearly outlined against the blue Of
the distant sky. appeared a number OF
dark figures. For moment he be-
lieved them buffaloes, but in another
instant decided instead they were
horsemen riding two by two.
"Get down lower. Miss Mcdonald" !"
he commanded. Nov we can see,
and not be seen. They must be
cavalrymen, the way they ride. but we
can take no chances"
They watched the black specks pass
east to where the bluff circled in to-
ward the river. It was from there
those distant riders first observed the
dim spiral of smoke still curling up
from the burning stage, for they
halted. punching together. and then
disappeared slowly down cash In
the side of the hill. Emerging on the
lower fiat they turned in the direction
of the fire, squirting their horses into
swift trot. There was no longer
any doubt of their being troopers, and
Hamlin stood upright on the sand
hummock waving his hat. They were
gathered about the fire, a few dis
mounted beside the dead bodies, be-
fore his signal was observed. Then
field glass flashed in the sunlight. and
three or four of the party rode down
to the bank of the river. One of
these. the glasses still held in his
hand, his horses. hoofs in the water,
shouted across the stream.
"Who are you over there?"
white people," answered Hamlin,
using his hands for a trumpet. I'VE
escaped from the stage last night.
am a sergeant, Seventh Cavalry. and
the lady with me is the daughter of
Major Mcdonald at Fort Devere."
How did you get across?"
" duSu Ill luS OdI IAC1 Q 10 GSoA
bottom. Send man over with a
couple of horses"
The officer turned and spoke to the
others grouped beside him; then rails
ed his voice again.
Are you sure there is no quick
sand?"
"None to hurt; come straight over
the end of that sand spit, and then
swerve about a dozen feet to the right
go to a horses belly. Try it, Wasson,
you ought to know me-"
You're Brick Hamlin, amt your"
"a good guess, Sam; come on"
Two troopers left their saddles, and
the third man, the one answering the
last hail, gathered the reins in one
hand, and spurred his horse confident
ly into the brown water. Following
the Sergeant's shouted directions. the
three animals plunged forwar" and
came dripping up the low sand bank.
The rider, sallow-faced man clad in
rough corduroy, patched and color
less, leaned over and held out his
hand
"Dern yer O. skin" he said solemn
ly, but with twinkle in his eyes,
''ye're sure got the luck Of 1t. Amt
see ye afore fer two years."
That's right, Sam; down on the
Cowskin, wasn't it? Who's over
ther?"
"Leftenant Gaskins, an some O. the
Fourth Cavalry, scoutin' out O. Dodge;
ben plum to ther mopntings, an goin'
home ag'in. Whut the hell (beggin'
yer pardin, mam) has happened
yere?"
"rll explain when we get across"
and Hamlin swung the haversack to
his shoulder, and turned to the girl.
This is Sam Wasson, Miss Melon
aid, a scout I have been out with be-
fore; let me help you into the saddle"
CHAPTER XII.