The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-11-25


had occurred had been engineered by
Dupont, and recalling the fact that the
man was once ranchman somewhere
to the southwark, jumped to the con-
clusion that the fellow would natural
ly head in that direction, seeking IA
miliar country in which to hide. with
the two troopers he pushed on toward
the river, choosing the upper ford as
being the most likely choice Of the
fugitives. The trampled mud of the
north bank exhibited fresh tracks, but
none he could positively identify.
However. party on horseback bad
crossed within few hours. and, with
out hesitation. he waded out into the
stream.
The gray Of dawn was in the sky az
the three troopers. soaked to the waist.
crept up the south bank and studied
the trail. Behind them the yellow Ian
terms still bobbed about between the
river and town. but there was already
sufficient light to make visible the
signs underfoot. Horsemen had
climbed the bank. the hoof marks yet
dripping fetlocks. and had instantly
broken into lope. A moments glance
proved this to Hamlin as he crept
back and forth, scrutinizing each hoof
mark intently.
Five In the party" he said sober
ly. Three Mustangs and two Ameri-
can horses, cavalry shod. About three
hours ahead of u.s." He Strengthened
up, his glance peering into the gray
mists. Il reckon it's likely our outfit,
but We'll never catch them on foot.
They'll be behind the sand-dunes be-
fore this. Before we go back, boys.
We'll see II they left the trail where
1t turns west"
The three ran forward, paying little
heed until they reached the edge OF
the ravine. Here the beaten trail
| swerved sharply to the right. Fifty
| feet beyond, the marks of horses
hoofs appeared on the sloping bank,
Hamlin sprang down to where the
marks disappeared around the edge OF
a large bowlder. His hand on tho
stone, he stopped suddenly with quick
| indrawing of breath, staring down at
/ a motionless figure lying almost at
his feet. The man, roughly dressed.
lay on his face, bullet wound show.
! ing above one ear, the back of his
neck caked with blood. The Sergeant.
mastering his first sense of horror,
turned him over and gazed upon the
CHASTITY face of Mejor Mcdonald.
my God, they've murdered him
herel" he exclaimed. "Shot him down
from behind. Look, men. No; stand
back, and don't muss up the tracks.
! There are footprints here-Indians,
by heaven! Three of them Indians!"
Some plainsmen wear moccasins."
"They dor't walk that way-tces
] in; and see this hair in McDonald's
| ingers-that's Indian, sure. Here Is
where horse fell. and slid down the
bank. Isn't that bit of broken feath-
er caught in the bush, Carroll? Bring
1t over here"
The three bent over the object.
well, what do you say? You men
are both plainsmen."
Cheyenne" returned Carroll
promptly. But what the hell are they
doing here?"
HamTin shook his head.
ut will require more than guessing
to determine that" he said sternly
And there Is only one way to find out
That fellow was Cheyenne all right
and there were three of them and two
whites in the party-see here; the
prints of five horses ridden, and one
animal led. That will be the one Nc
Donald had. They went straight VI
the opposite bank Of the ravine. Il
they leave a trail like that we car
ride after them full speed"
Carroll had bee bending over The
dead officer and now glanced up.
There's sand just below, Sergeant,
he said. That's why they are Sc
darn reckless here"
"Of course; they'll hide In the dunes
and the sooner we're after them the
better. Wade, you remain with tn,
body; Carroll and will return to tn,
fort and report. Wen have to hav'
more men-Wasson II can get him
and equipment FOR hard ride. Come
on. Jack"
They waded the river, and raj
through the town, shouting their dis
covery to the marshal and his poss,
as they passed. Twenty minutes late
Hamlin stood before the Colonel, hast
ly telling the story. The latter lii
tened intently. gripping the arms o.
his chair.
"Shot from behind, heyF" he ejacu
lated. land his clothing stolen. Looki
like a carefully planned affair, Ser
geant; sending that fellow through t
Ripley was expected to throw US OF
the track. That's why they We're b
careless covering their trail; expected
to have several days start. 1t Is m,
notion they never intended to xii
him; had a row of some kind, or els
, Mac tried to get away, Any trace O
: the girl?"
mo; but she must have been there
| To-. n