Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-08-21

Carroll had BE- bending over the
dead oiiicer and now glanced up.
There's sand Just below, Sergeant"
he said. That's why they are 20
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 I can get him
and equipment for Q 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. heyT he ejacu-
lated. land his clothing stolen. Looks
like a carefully planned affair. Ser
geant; sending that fellow through to
Ripley was expected to throw US on
the track. That's why they were 30
careless covering theip trail: expected
to have several days start. 1t Is my
notion they never intended to kill
him: had q row Of some kind. or else
Mac tried to get away. Any trace Of
the girl?"
mo; but she must have been there"
so l 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 ai.er 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 It to
Ripley at eace."
Hamlin drew In bis 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 oflcer 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
1t 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
mana scout--Wasson. II he can be
spared-and rations for three days"
I'll do It for Miss Mcdonald. but
not for the money" he said slowly. II
expect orders every hour for your
troop. and Wasson 10 detailed for spe-
cial service. But damn II, I'll take the
fesponsibility-go on. and run those
devils down."
you know this man Dupont Col
onelr
only by sight"
ANY idea where he used to run cat
tle?"
Walt a minute until think. l
heard Mcdonald telling about him one
night at the club. something Mrs. Du.
pont had let slip. but didn't pay
much attention al the time. Seems to
me. though. 1t was down on the Cana.
dian. No. have 1t now-Buffalo
Creek; runs into the Canadian. Know
such a stream?"
you think It was Dupont. thenf
'T've heard Of It; in west Of the
North Fork somewhere"
Il haven't doubt that he IL In the
affair, and that the outfit is headed fol
that section. don't know. sir. where
those Indians came from. or how they
happened to be up here. but believe
they belong to Black Kettles band ol
Cheyennes. His bunch 10 down below
the Canadian. 10 It not, sir?"
YES"
Dupont must be friendly with them
and this coup has been planned fol
some time. Last night was the chance
they have been waiting for. The only
mistake In their plans has been thu
early discovery because Of Miss Mol
ly's disappearance. They have gon,
away careless. expecting two or thre,
days start, and they will only have {
few hours. Well run them down. will
good luck. before they cross the Gin
arron. You have no further iustruc
tions. sir?"
mo. nothing. Sergeant. You're a
old hand, and know your business. ant
there Is no better scout ON the plaini
than Sam Wasson. Goodbye. and goo.
luck"
CHAPTER XIV.