The Carlisle independent., 1913-03-27
CHAPTER Il-contlnued.

l CnAf e fi-SOulfU0C0.
 No. Oh, Of course not Nothing that goes on out here ever drifts east of the Missouri Lord! We might as we'll be serving a foreign country Well, listen: 1 was at Washita then. and had the story first hand. Dugan was lieutenant in ID Troop. out with his first independent command scouting along the Canadian. He lnew as much about Indians as a COW does of music. One morning the young idiot left camp with only one trooper along-Hamlin here-and he was a rookie to follow up what look ed like fresh trail. Two hours later ahe fracas was on. Dugan got ball through the body at the first fire that paralyzed him. He was conscious, but couldn't move The rest was up to Hamlin You ought to have heard Dugan tell it when he got so he could speak. Hamlin dragged the boy down into a buffalo wallow. shot both horses. and got behind them. It was all done in the jerk of a lambs tail. They had two Henry rifles, and the rookie kept them both hot. He got some of the bucks. too, but of course, we never knew how many. There were twenty in the party. and they charged twice, riding their ponies all most to the edge of the wallow, but Hamlin had fourteen shots without re- loading, and they couldn't quite make ft. Dugan said there were nine dead ponies within radium of thirty feet. Anyhow 1t was five hours before 'D' troop came up. and that's what they fpund when they got there-Dugan laid out, as good as dead. and Hamlin shot twice, and only ten cartridges left. He'll" he added disgustedly. land you never even heard of it east of the Missouri"
 There was flush of color on the sergeant's cheeks, but he never nov ed.
 There was nothing else tg do but whak did,s he explained simply. Any of the fellows would have done the same If they had been up against it the way I was May I ask" his eyes first upon one and then the other in- qniringly. what it was you wanted of me?"
 Mcdonald drew a long breath.
 Certainly, sergeant, sit down-yes, take that chair"
 He described the situation in few words. and the trooper listened quiet ly until he was done. Trayers inter rupted once, his voice emerging from a cloud of smoke. As the major con- cluded, Hamlin asked question or two gravely.
 How old Is your daughter. sir?"
 "In her twentieth year"
 Have you 8 picture of the young lady?"
 The major crossed over to his fa- tigue coat hanging on the wall. and extracted small photograph from an inside pocket.
 This was taken year ago" he ex- plained. "and was considered a good likeness then"
 Hamlin took the card in his hands, studied the face a moment, and then placed IL upon the LdUlS-
 You figure she ought to leave Rip ly on the 18th" he said slowly. Then I shall need to start at once to make Dodge in time"
 "You mean to go then? Of course, you realize I have no authority to or der you on such private service"
 That's true. I'm volunteer, but I'll ask you for written order just the same in case my troop command CT should ever object, and I'll need a fresh horse; I rode mine pretty hard coming up here"
 You shall have the pick of the stables, sergeant" interjected the cav airy captain. knocking the ashes from his pipe. Anything else? Have you had rest enough?"
 -Four hours" and the sergeant stood up again. "All require will be two days rations, and few more re- yolyer cartridges. The sooner I'm off ahe better"
 It he heard Travers' attempt at conversation as the two stumbled to- xether down the dark hilll, he paid small attention. At the stables, aided by a smoky lantern, he picked out a tough-looking buckskin mustang, with an evil eye; and, using his own saddle and bridle, he finally led the half-brok- .en animal outside.
 .That buckskin's the devils own,