The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-04-03


II l should 60 myself 1t would mean
. court-martial."
Travers stared into the darkness
through the open door, sucking at his
pipe.
by George, you are in a pickle"
he acknowledged slowly. ~ supposed
she had been headed of long ago.
Haven't heard you mention the mat
ter since we first got here. Where
do you suppose the lass is by now?"
NEAR as can tell she would leave
Ripley the 18TH"
"Humph! Then starting tonight, q
good rider might intercept her at
Fort Dodge. She would be in no dan
ger travelling alone for that distance.
The regular stages are running yet,
I suppose?"
"Yes; so far as I know"
Under guard?"
only from the Caches to Fort
Union; there has been no trouble
along the lower Arkansas yet. The
troops from Dodge are scouting the
country north, and we are supposed
to keep things clear Of hostiles down
this way"
Supposed to-yes; but We can't
patrol flve hundred miles Of desert
with q hundred men. most OF them
dough-boys. The devils can break
through any time they get ready
you know that. At this minute there
isn't q mile Of safe country between
Dodge and Union. II she was my
daughter"
You'd do what?" broke in Melon
aid, jumping to his feet. I'D give my
life to know what to dol"
why, I'd sent somebody to meet
her-to turn her back II that was pos
sible. Peyton would look after her
there at Ripley until you could ar
range"
That's easy enough to say, Travers.
but tell me who is there to send? Do
you chance to know an enlisted man
out yonder who would do-whom you
would trust to take care of young
girl alone?"
The captain bent his head on one
hand, silent for some minutes.
They are tough lot, major; that's
a fact, when you stop to call the roll
Those recruits we got at Leavenworth
were mostly rough-necks-seven OF
them in the guard-house tonight. Our
best men are all out" with a wave
OF his hand to the south. Its only
the riff-raff we've got left, at De
vere."
you can't go?"
| The captain rubbed his lame leg
regretfully
mo; I'd risk it If could only ride
but l couldn't sit saddle"
And my duty is here: it would coSt
me my commission"
There was long thoughtful silence
both men modify staring out
through the door. Away in the dark
ness unseen sentinels called the hour
Then Travers dropped one hand or
the others knee.
"Dan." he said swiftly, how about
that fellow who came In with dispatch
es from Union just before dark! HI
looked like a real man."
with the wood-cutters all day"
Travers got up and paced the floor
II remember now. What do 70,
say! Let's have him in. anyhow. The,
never would have trusted him for tina
ride IL he hadn't been the right sort.
He strobe over to the door, withou
waiting an answer Here, Carter,
he called, do you know where tina
cavalryman Is who rode in from For
Union this afternoon?"
A face appeared In the glow o
light, and \ gloved hand rose to ga
lutte.
He's asleep in BIS shack, sir.
the orderly replied. Said he'd beer
Oh the trail two nights and day"
Reckon he had, and some riding q
that. Rout him out. will you? Tell hin
the major wants to see him here a
once"
The man wheeled as II on a pivot
and disappeared.
III Carter could only ride" begal
Mcdonald, but Travers interrupte,
impatiently.
III! But we all know he cant
Worst I ever saw, must have original
" been sailor" He slowly refille'
his pipe. Now. see here. Dan, It,
your daughter that's to be looked al
ter. and therefore l want you to siz
this man up for yourself l don't pre-
tend to know anything about him. onl
he looks like soldier, and they mus
think we'll of him at Union"
Mcdonald nodded. but without er
thusiasm: then dropped his head int
his hands. In the silence coyot
howled mournfully not far away; the
a shadow appeared on the log stel
the light Of the candle flashing on
row Of buttons.
This is the man. SIR" said the o.
, derby, and stood aside to permit tn
other to enter.
CHAPTER u.
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