Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-10-02

feeling as though they had been beateI
by clubs. Once, desperate to attempt
something, Hamlin suggested search
ing for the bodies of WATSON and
Wade, but Hughes shook his head
staring at the other as though hall
geant strobe to the door and looked
out into the smother of snow; then
came back without a word of protest
Carroll improved steadily, complain,
ing of pain where the frost had nipped
exposed flesh, yet able to sit up, and
eat heartily. There remained q
numbness in his feet and legs, how,
ever. which prevented his standing
alone, and both the others realized
that he would have to be left behind
when the storm abated. Hughes would
go without doubt; on this point the
Sergeant was determined. He did not
altogether like or trust the man; he
could not blot from memory the COW.
ardly shot which killed WATSON. nor
entirely rid himself of fear that he,
himself. had failed an old comrade, In
not revenging his death; yet one
thing was clear-the mans hatred for
LIE Fevre made him valuable. Treach.
erous as he might be by nature, now
his whole soul was bent on revenge.
Moreover he knew the lay of the land,
the trail the fugitives would follow
and to some extent Black Kettles
camp. Little by little Hamlin drew
from him every detail OF lie Fevre's
life In the cattle country. becoming
more and more convinced that both
men were thieves. their herds largely
stolen through connivance with In.
dams Undoubtedly LIE Fevre was
the bigger rascal Of the two, and pos
sessed greater influence because of
his marriage into the tribe.
1t was the second midnight when
the wind died down. Hamlin, sleeping
fitfully, seemed to sense the change;
he rose, forced the door open, and
peered out eagerly There was light
ness to the sky, and all about. the IN
broken expanse Of snow sparkled in
Geld crystals, Nothing broke the
white desolation but the dark waters
of the river still unfrozen. and the
gaunt limbs of the cottonwoods, now
standing naked and motionless. The
silence was profound, seeming almost
painful after the wild fury of the past
days. He could hear the soft purr of
the water. and CAROLS heavy breath
ing. And it was cold, bitterly cold.
tina chill Of 1t penetrating to his very
bones. But for that he had no care
his mind had absorbed the one impor
tant fact; the way was open, they
could go. He shook Hughes roughly
into wakefulness. giving utterance to
sharp, tense orders, as though he
dealt with a man of his own troop.
Turn out, lively. now. Yes, the storm
il over. It's midnight, or little after.
and growing cold. Put on your heavy
stuff. and bring up the two best
horses. Come. now: you'll step of
quicker than that. Hughes. if you ride
with me. I'll have everything ready
by the time you get here. Eat! He'll!
Well eat in the saddle! What's that
Carroll?
I'VE amt a-goin' to leave me yere
alone, are we, Sergeant"
No; therell be two horses to keep
you company. You've got a snap.
man; plenty to eat, and good fire
what more do you want--a nurse?
Hughes, what, in the name OF Heaven.
are you standing there for? Perhaps
YOU would like to have me stir you
up. | will II those horses are not here
in ten minutes"
CTo BE coNTINUED)