The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-06-13

here OF the plains. IL could not
at homo with that disgrace
hanging ove me-"
You must tell me all about It,"
Hell head lifted suddenly as she
gazed out across the river. shading
her eyes. Why. what are those?"
h exclaimed eagerly, there. moving
on the bluffs ~opposite?"
His glance swept to the northward.
and he was az instantly the soldier
again. Far away on the upper plateau.
clearly outlined against the blue OF
the distant sky. appeared a number OF
dark figures. For a moment he be-
lieved them bufaloes. but In another
instant decided instead they were
horsemen riding two by two.
Get down lower. Miss Mcdonald"
he commanded. Nov we can see.
and not be seen. They must be
cavalrymen. the way they ride. but we
can take no chances"
They watched the black specks pass
east to where the blur circled In to-
ward the river. 1t was from there
those distant riders first observed the
dim spiral of smoke still curling up
from the burning stage. for they
halted. punching together. and then
disappeared slowly down a cash in
the side Of the hill. Emerging on the
lower fiat they turned in the direction
OF the fire. squirting their horses into
a swift trot. There was no longer
any doubt Of their being troopers. and
Hamlin stood upright on the sand
hummock waving his hat. They were
gathered about the fire. q few dis
mounted beside the dead bodies. be-
fore his signal was observed. Then a
field glass flashed in the sunlight, and
three or four Of the party rode down
to the bank of the river. One OF
these. the glasses still held In his
hand. his horses. hoofs in the water,
shouted across the stream.
Who are you ove there?"
White people," answered Hamlin,
using his hands for a trumpet. We
escaped from the stage last night. !
am a sergeant, Seventh Cavalry. and
hhC inoy Will luo ID tuc odu6AtC Va
Major Mcdonald at Fort Devere."
How did you get across?'
"Waded in the dark: there Is good
bottom. Send a man owe with q
couple of horses"
The officer turned and spoke to the
others grouped beside him; then rails
ed his voice again.
Are you sure there is no quick
sand?"
None to hurt; come straight ovel
the end OF that sand spit, and Their
werve about a dozen feet to the right
to keep out of a hole. The water won
go to a horses belly. Try it, WATSON
you ought to know me-"
You're Brick Hamlin, amt your
"A good guess, Sam; come on"
Two troopers left their saddles. ant
the third man, the n answering thu
last hail, gathered the reins in one
hand, and spurred his horse confident
ly into the brown water. Following
the S%ergeant's shouted directions, thu
three animals plunged forwar' ant
, came dripping up the low sand bank
The rider. a sallow-faced man clad IL
rough corduroy, patched and color
| less. leaned over and held out hi
hand.
"Dern yer O. skim" he said solemn
ly, but with a twinkle in his eyes
, we're sure got the luck Of it. Aim
see ye afore fer two years."
That's right. Sam; down on tn
, Cowskin. wasn't It? Who's owe
= ther?"
Lieutenant Gaskins, an some O tn
Fourth Cavalry, scoutin' out O. Dodge
t ben plum to Their mountings; an goir
home ag'in. Whut the hell (beggir
yer pardin. mann has happene
= yere?"
I'll explain when we get across,
and Hamlin swung the haversack t
his shoulder, and turned to the cir
: This Is Sam WATSON, Miss McDor
aid, a scout l have been out with b.
fore; let me help you into the saddle.