Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-09-11
coeyRsctn tsre By A.c.nscluRo q Co

the swift current, bearing MS rider
with him into the icy water. Comrades
hauled the unfortunate ones forth,
and fires we're hastily built under shell
ter of the south bank. Those who
reached the landing dry shared their
extra clothing with those water
soaked, and hot coffee was hastily
served to all alike. Eager as the men
were to push forward, more than an
hour was lost in passage, for the
stream was bank full. the current
rapid and Uttered with quantities OF
floating ice. Some of these ice cakes
startled the struggling horses and in
flicted painful wounds, and 1t was only
by free use Of ropes and larlats that
the entire command finally succeeded
In attaining the southern shore. Shiv'
ering with the cold the troopers again
found their saddles and pressed grimly
| forward on the trail Hamlin, with
five others, led the way along beat
Ell track which had been trampled by
the passing herd Of Indian ponies and
plainly marked by the trailing poles
Of numerous wicky-ups.
This led straight away into the
south across the valley of the Canad-
Ian. on to the plains beyond. The
snow here was foot deep on a level.
and In places the going was heavy.
AS they advanced the weather mod
Grated somewhat. and the upper crust
became soft Before them stretched
The dreary level OF the plains, broken
ty occasional ravines and little iso-
larej patches Of trees. No sign OF
Indians was seen other than the de-
serted trail and confident that the
oaHd had had fully twenty-four hours
start their pursuers advanced as rapid
~ as the ground would permit. The
very Clc0Tness of the trail was evil
Gence that II Indians had no con.
cepton thai they we're being followed
Confident Of safety in their winter re-
treat. they we're making no effort to
protect their rear. never dreaming
there we're soldiers within hundreds
of miles Whatever report Dupont had
made, It had awakened no alarm Why
should It? So far as he knew there
were but twc men pursuing him into
the wilderness. and both Of these he
believed lying dead in the snow
Steadily. mile after mile, they rode.
and II was after dark when the little
column was finally halted beside a
stream where they could safely hide
themselves in patch Of timber. Tiny
fres we're built under protection Of
the steep banks OF the creek. and the
men made coffee. and fed their hun
FRY horses The silence was profound
It was dark night, although the sur
rounding snow plains yielded spec
trail light Major Elliott. drinking cof-
fee and munching bareback with the
troop captain. sent for Sergeant Ham
| lin. The latter advanced within the
glow of the fire. and saluted.
I'VE have been gaining on those
fellows, Sergeant" the Major began
"and must be drawing close to the
Washita."
I'VE are travelling faster than they
did, sir" was the reply, because they
had to break trail. and there were
some women and children with them
I have no knowledge Of this region
but the creek empties into the Washits
without doubt"
THAT would be my Judgment
Sparkling and we're just talking i
over shall wait here until Custer
comes up; my force Is too small t
attack openly. and my orders are no
to bring on an engagement Custer
has some Usage scouts with him whit
will know this country.
But, Major" ventured Hamlln, "i
the General follows our trail It will b.
hours yet before he can reach here
and then his men will be completed!
exhausted"
HE will not follow our trail. H,
has Corbin and California joe will
him. They are plainsmen who know
their business. He'll cross the Canad
ian, and strike out across the plain
to intercept us. In that way he will
have no farther to travel than ",
have had. In my judgment we shall
not walt here long alone. Have yov
eaten?"
mo, sir; have been statloninI
the guard"
Then sit down here and share wha
little we have. We can waive fol-
mality tonight"
It was after nine o'clock when tn
sentries challenged the advance O
Clusters column, as II stole sllentl
out of the gloom. Ten minutes late
the men were lowering about tn
fires, absorbing such small comfort
as we're possible, while the Genera
and Major Elliott discussed the situa
ton and planned to push forward. Al
hour later the fires were extinguished