Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-09-04

- " 9iCAu NO ueiiliile TebullS. tldinllu,
obsessed with the belief that whatever
had occurred had been engineered by
Dupont, and recalling the fact that the
man was once a ranchman somewhere
to the southwark, jumped to the con-
clusion that the fellow would natural
ly head in that direction, seeking ia
miliar country in which to hide.
The gray of dawn was in the sky as
the three troopers, soaked to the waist.
crept up the south bank and studied
the trail. Behind them the yellow Ian
terms still bobbed about between the
river and town. but there was already
sufficient light to make visible the
signs underfoot. Horsemen had
climbed the bank, the hoof marks yet
damp where water had drained from
dripping fetlocks, and had instantly
broken into lope. A moments glance
proved this to Hamlin as he crept
back and forth, scrutinizing each hoof
mark intently.
Five In the party" he said sober
ly. Three mustangs and two Ameri-
can horses, cavalry shod. About three
hours ahead of u.s." He Strengthened
up. his glance peering into the gray
mists. Il reckon it's likely our outfit,
but Wen never catch them on foot
They'll be behind the sand-dunes be-
fore this. Before we go back, boys
Wen see If they left the trail where
1t turns west
I
The three ran forward. paying little
heed until they reached the edge OF
the rayine. Here the beaten trail
swerved sharply to the right Fifty
Sect beyond, the marks Of horses
hoofs appeared on the sloping bank.
Hamlin sprang down to where the
marks disappeared around the edge OF
large bowlder. His hand on the
stone, he stopped suddenly with quick
indrawing of breath, staring down at
motionless figure lying almost at
his feet. The man, roughly dressed,
lay on his face, bullet wound show.
ing above one ear, the back OF his
neck caked with blood. The Sergeant,
mastering his first sense of horror.
turned him over and gazed upon the
CHASTITY face OF Major Mcdonald.
my God, they've murdered him
here!" he exclaimed. "Shot him down
from behind. Look, men. No; stand
back. and don't muss up the tracks.
There are footprints here-Indians,
by heaven! Three of them Indiansi"
Some plainsmen wear moccasins."
"They dor't walk that way-toes
in; and see this hair in McDonald's
fingers-that's Indian, sure. Here is
where horse fell, and slid down the
bank. Isn't that bit of broken feath-
er caught in the bush, Carroll? Bring
1t over here"
The three bent over the object.
We'll. what do you say? You men
are both plainsmen."
Cheyenne" returned Carroll
promptly. But what the hell are they
doing here?"
HamIin shook his head.
ut will require more than guessing
to determine that" he said sternly.
"And there Is only one way to find out.
That fellow was Cheyenne all right,
and there were three of them and two
whites in the party--see here: the
prints of five horses ridden, and one
animal led. That will be the one Nc.
Donald had. They went straight UP
the opposite bank OF the ravine. II
they leave trail like that we can
ride after them full speed"
Carroll had be bending over the
dead officer and now glanced up.
There's sand just below, Sergeant"
he said. That's why they are so
darn reckless here"
"of course; they'll hide in the dunes,
and the sooner we're after them the
better. Wade, you remain with the
body: Carroll and will return to the
fort and report. Well have to have
more men-Wasson II can get him
and equipment for hard ride. Come
on. Jack"
They waded the river. and ran
through the town, shouting their dis
covery to the marshal and his posse
as they passed. Twenty minutes later
Hamlin stood before the Colonel, hasti.
ly telling the story. The latter lis
tened intently. gripping the arms OF
his chair.
Shot from behind, hey?" he ejacu.
lated. "and his clothing stolen. Looks
like carefully planned affair, Ser.
geant; sending that fellow through to
Ripley was expected to throw us of
the track. That's why they were SO
careless covering their trail; expected
to have several days start. 1t is my
notion they never intended to kill
him; had row Of some kind. or else
Mac tried to get away. Amy trace OF
the girl?"
mo; but she must have been there. .
$50 think; got mixed up in the af.
fair some way. and they have been
compelled to carry her on to save
themselves. Do you know why they
were after Mac?"
mo, SIR"
We'll. | do; he carried thirty thou
sand dollars"
"what?"
"He was acting paymaster. The
money came In from Wallace last eve
ming, and he was ordered to take 1t to
Ripley at once"
Hamlin drew In his breath quickly
in surprise.
who knew about that, sirf"
mo one but the Adjutant. and Ma
jor McDonald-not even the orderly"
The eyes of officer and soldier met.
do you suppose he could have told
herr" the former asked in sudden sus-
picion.
That would be my theory. sir. But
It Is useless to speculate. We have no
proof. no means OF forcing her to con.
fess. The only thing for US to do Is to
trail those fugitives. ! need another