Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-02-27

whisked away without leaving some
trace behind. The town was accus-
toned to murder and sudden death;
| the echo of revolver shots would create
| no panic, awaken no alarm, and vet
the place was small, and there was
little likelihood that any deed of vio-
lence would pass long unnoticed. With
few words of instruction, and hasty
descriptions of both Dupont and Con-
nors, Hamlin sent his men down the
struggling street to drag OUT the oc-
self to the blazing front of the Poodle
Dog"
Late as the hour was, the saloon
and the gambling rooms above were
all crowded. Hamiin plunged into the
mass OF men, pressing passage back
and forth. his eyes searching the faces.
while he eagerly questioned those with
whom he had any acquaintance. Few
among these could recall to mind
either "Reb" or his boon companion,
and even those who did retained no
recollection of having seen the two
lately. The bartenders asserted that
neither man had been there that night,
and the dealers above were equally
positive. The city marshal, encoun-
tered outside, remembered Dupont,
and had seen him at the hotel three
hours before, but was positive the fell
low had not been on the streets since.
Connors he did not know, but if the
man was Major McDonald's driver
then he was missing all right, for Cap
tain Barrett had to employ livery
man to drive Mrs. Dupont back to the
fort. No, there was no lady with her,
he was sure, for he had watched them
get into the carriage.
Inc troopers We're no more fortu
nate in their results, but had succeed
ed Ia stirring up greater excitement
during their exploration, several irate
individuals, roughly aroused from
sleep, exhibiting fighting propensities,
which had cost one a blackened eye,
and the other tie loss of a tooth. Both,
however, had enjoyed the occasion,
and appeared anxious for more. Hav-
ing exhausted the possibilities of the
town, the soldiers procured lanterns
ana, leaving the horses behind. began
exploring the prairie. In this labor
they We're assisted by the marshal,
and few aroused citizens hastily i'm
pressed into a posse. The search was
a thorough one, but the ground near
by was so cut up by hoofs and wheels
as to yield no definite results. Hamlin.
ohsessed with the belief that whatever
mad occurred had been engineered by
Dupont, and recalling the fact that the
man was once a ranchman somewhere
to the southwark, jumped to the con-
clusion that the fellow would natural
~ head in that direction, seeking ia
mlllar country in which to hiLe. With
the two troopers he pushed on toward
the river. choosing the upper ford as
being the most likely choice of til
fugitiyes. The trampled mud of the
north bank exhibited fresh tracks. but
none he could positively identify.
However, party on horseback had
crossed within a few hours, and. with
out hesitation, he waded out into the
stream.
The gray of dawn was in the sky as
the three troopers, soaked to the waist,
crept up the south bank and studied
the trail. Behind them the yellow LAM
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
damp where water had drained from
dripping fetlocks, and had Instantly
broken into lope. A moments glance
proved this to Hamlin as he crept
back and forth, scrutinizing each hoo(
mark lntently
Five in the party" he said sober.
~ Three mustangs and two Ameri-
can horses, cavalry shod. About three
hours ahead of u.s." He straightened
up, his glance peering into the gray
mlsts. 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 if they left the trail where
it turns west"
Inc 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
large bowlder. His hand on the
stone, he stopped suddenly with quick
lndrawing of breath, ST 70 down at
motionless figure ~ almost at
his feet The man, rous,..Iy dressed,
lay on his face, a 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 ana gazed upon the
CHASTITY face Of Major Mcdonald.
my God, they've murdered him
here!" he exclaimed. "shot him down
from behind. Lock, men No; stand