Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-01-09
6a what fhoas de1Iils Know of the

On what those devils know OF the
whereabouts Of troops. They are North
ern Indians, and must have broken
through the scouting details sent out
from Wallace and Dodge. Some of the
boys are bound to be after them, and
there Is more chance for them to get
back safely along the mountains than
in the other direction. I don't sup
pose an Indian in the bunch was ever
south Of the Arkansas. Wait! Those
fellows are going to move now; going
for good, too-they are taking the
dead Indians with them"
They were little more than black
dots at that distance, yet the sun was
up by this time and his keen vision
could distinguish every movement.
Creep up here, and you can see
Also" he said quietly. "They are far
enough away now SO that it is SAFE
There was moment of breathless
quiet, the two fugitives peering eau.
tiously over the sand ridge. To the
girl it was confusion of figures rush
ing back and forth about the smoking
ruins OF the stage; occasionally faint
yell echoed across the river, and she
could distinguish a savage on his
pony gesticulating as he rode back
and forth. But the Sergeant compre
hended the scene. His eyes met hers
and read her bewiIderment.
"They are going all right, and in a
hurry. It's plain enough they are
afraid to stay there any longer See
they are flashing bodies on to the
/ ponies. All, that is what 1 wanted to
be sure about-that fellow is heading
west on the trail; now the others are
moving"
"Then you are sure Roman Nose
, will not return? That-that we are
safe?"
Yes; l wouldn't hesitate to go bacl
, as soon as the last of them disappear
! over the RIDGE" pointing up the river
, "They knew they had to go that way;
Roman Nose and his band hoped we't
taken that direction, and hurried o,
ahead to catch ns IL he could. They
are afraid to stay about here any long
er. Look how they are flashing 'thos,
ponies; there. the last of them ar,
leaving"
They lay there in the sand, alread,
becoming warm under the rays of tn,
sun, trying to assure themselves tina
all danger of discovery had vanished
There was no movement on the oppo
site shore. only the blue spiral o
smoke curling up against the bluff
marking where the stage had stood
About this, outlined upon the brow,
grass. appeared darker patches rep
resenting dead ponies and the bodie
OF Moylan and Gonzales, where the,
had been tumbled, scalped and other
wise mutilated. Down by the river
wounded pony tried to follow the dis
appearing cavalcade. but fell, givin
vent to one scream OF agony. Then al
was silent, motionless, the last straf
gler clubbing his horse pitilessly as h
vanished over the ridge.
h Hamlin sat up. his eyes smiling.
We are the lucky ones, Miss NJ
Donald" he said, his manner uncol
: sciously more formal now that til
danger had passed and swift REALM
: ton Of who his companion was rscu
, ring to his mind. Something mus
have frightened them" He shaded hi
eyes, staring at the bluffs opposit,
But. there is nothing in sight froI
here. Well, the best thing we can d
is to eat breakfast. May | have tn
haversack, and see what 1t is Stoke
WITH"
Certainly not There il 80 littl
can do. l do not propose yieldin
any prerogative." And she drew he
head through the strap. letting til
leather bag fall to the sand. 81 al
afraid there is no cloth here. Woul
you dare light fire."
Hardly, even II we had fuel" h
answered, watching her with interes
She. glanced up into his face, lie
! cheeks reddening.
!. Why don't you want me to d
. this?"
, How do you know object? Indee,
1t is quite pleasant to be waited upol
j Only, you see. it is very unusual &c
I All officers daughter to take such goo
! care of an enlisted man.
But l am not thinking of that /
all. Youths is different"
For the moment. perhaps" just
slight bitterness in his tone, and
should enjoy it while cam
She stopped in her work, sittin
straight before him. Her eyes We,
! indignant, yet she stined the frt
words that leaped to her lips. H
soft hat lay on the sand and the ~
, revealed his tanned face, bringing o,
ito Ssreukth.