The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-10-21

even signal fires during the night, and
the conductor who had come straight
from Santa Fe, reported that troops
from Fort Union had driven the only
known bunch of raiders back from
the neighborhood of the trail, and had
them already safely corralled In the
mountains. This report, seemingly au-
thentic and official, served to relax
the nerves. and the west. bound driver
Gang to himself as he guided the four
horses forward, while the conductor,
sawed-or gun planted between his
knees, nodded drowsily. Inside there
were but three passengers, jerking
back and forth, as the wheels struck
the deep ruts Of the trail, occasionally
exchanging word or two, but usual.
ly staring gloomily forth at the mo-
notonous scene. Miss Mcdonald and
Moylan occupied the back seat, some
baggage wedged tightly between to
keep them more secure on the slip
perry cushion, while facing them, and
clinging to his support with both
hands, was pock-marked Mexican,
with rather villainous face and ornate
dress, and excessively polite manners.
He had Joined the little party at
Dodge, smiling happily at sight of
Miss Molly's face when she unveiled,
although his small knowledge of Eng.
lish prevented any extended effort at
conversation. Moylan, however, after
careful scrutiny. engaged him shortly
In Spanish. and later explained to the
girl. In how tones, that the man was a
Santa Fe gambler known as Gonzales,
with q reputation to be limited at but
not openly discussed.
They were some six miles to the
west OF Deer Creek, the horses still
moving with spirit, the drivers foot
on the brake, when the stage took a
sudden plunge down a sloping bank
where the valley perceptibly narrowed.
To the left, beyond q fiat expanse OF
brown, sun-scorched grass, flowed
the widely-spreading waters OF the Ar.
kansas, barely covering the treacher
GUS sandy bottom, and from the other
side came the more distant CLEAN OF
alkali plains; to the right arose the
bluffs, here both steep and rugged
completely shutting off the view, bar
rem Of vegetation except for few
scattered patches of grass. Suddenly
a man rode out of n rift in the bank
directly in front, and held up his hand
Surprised, startled, the driver in
simultaneously clamped on his brake
and brought his horses to a quicl
stop; the conductor, nearly flung from
his seat, yanked his gun forward.
None of that now" called out tn,
man in saddle quickly, both hands up
lifted to show their emptiness. "Thi
Is no hold-up. I've got news"
He spurred his pony forward slow
ly, the animal seemingly barely abl
to move, and swung out of the saddl
beside the front wheel, staggering
bit as though his limbs were crampe,
as his feet felt the ground.
"I'm from Fort Union" he sait
Seventh Cavalry, sent through b
way of Cimarron Springs. There
hell to pay west of here; the station
at Arkansas Crossing and Low Wate
were burned last night"
"The devil you say" burst out tn
driver hoarsely, his startled eye
sweeping the horizon. "Injuns?"
Sure, plenty of signs, but haven
seen any bucks myself. AS soon as
discovered what had happened at tn
l Crossing / struck out on to the pl
D teau, and came around that way
D warn those fellows at Low Water. 81
> when l got sight of that station frol
0 off the bluffs yonder 1t had been wipe
out. Then thought about this stas
going west today, and came on to me,
+ you. Must have ridden O hundred a
; twenty miles since yesterday; Il
r mustang is all In"
d Moylan stuck his head out the nea
est window.
Look like they had much of a figl
t ut the Crossing?" he asked.
y mot much; more like a night rait
two whites killed, and scalped. III
] third man either was taken away,
|. his body got burnt in the buildin
/ Horses all gone"
:. what tribe?"
Aapduoee, rum tuo way III
@ scalped; that's what made it SO Sc
ous-if those Northern Indians ha
r. broken loose there is going to be W
It this time for sure"
l. The men on the box looked at ea
4. other questioningly.
II don't see no use tryin' to go G
W Jake, do you?" asked the driver sob
5, ly. Even II we do git through, tn
q. amt no HOSES to be had"
ID The other shook his head, rubbi
p his gun-stock.
IT Most likely those same red dew
a. are layiu' for us now somewhat
IS tween yere an Low Water; whar I
trail runs in between them two
rocks, most probable" he conclud,
Not havin' no ha'r to lose, I'm
goln' back"
With an oath of relief, the driver
rs leased his brake and skilfully swu
Id the leaders around. the coach gro;
10 ing as 1t took the sharp turn. 7
r. man on the ground caught swift