The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-01-23

you. Must have ridden a hundred an
twenty miles since yesterday; the
mustang Is all in"
Moylan stuck his head out the near
est window.
Look like they had much Of a fight
at the C~rossing?" he asked.
mot much; more like a night raid;
two whites killed, and scalped. The
third man either was taken away, or
his body got burnt In the building.
Horses all gone"
What tribe?"
"Arapahoes, from the way they
scalped; that's what made 1t so seri-
ous-if those Northern Indians have
broken loose there Is going to be war
this time for sure"
The men on the box looked at each
other Questioningly.
Il don't see no use tryin' to go on,
Jake, do your" asked the driver sober
ly. Even II we do git through, thar
amt no bosses to be had"
The other shook his head, rubbing
his g%un-stock.
Most likely those same red devils
are layin' for us now somewhat be-
tween we're an Low Water; whar the
trail runs In between them two big
rocks, most probable" he concluded.
Not havin' no ha'r to lose, I'm fer
goin' back"
With an oath Of relief, the driver re-
leased his brake and skilfully swung
the leaders around, the coach groan-
ing as 1t took the sharp turn. The
man on the ground caught a swiftly
passing glimpse of the young wom-
ans face within, and strobe hurriedly
forward as the coach started.
Hold on there, pardner." he com
manded sternly, This poor bronze
won't travel another mile. There's
plenty of room for me inside, and Ill
turn the tired devil loose. Hold on.
I say!"
The driver once again slapped on
the brake, growing and reluctant, his
anxious eyes searching the trail in
both directions. Hamlin quietly un-
cinched his saddle, ~finging it to the
coach roof; the bride followed. and
then, with a slap on the haunch Of the
released animal, he strobe to the stage
door, thrust his Henry rifle within,
and took the vacant seat beside Con.
zales. With a sudden crack Of the
drivers whip the four horses leaped
forward, and the coach careened on
the slope of the trail, causing the pas
sengers to clutch wildly to keep from
being precipitated into a mass on the
foor. AS the traces Strengthened.
Miss Molly, clinging desperately to q
strap, caught her first fair glance at
the newcomer. His hat was tilted
back, the light revealing lines of
WEAKNESS and a coating of the gray,
powdery dust Of the alkali desert, but
beneath it appeared the brown, UNI
scorched skin, while the gray eyes
looking straight at her, were resolute
and smiling. His rough shirt, open at
the throat, might have been the prod.
uct of any suffers counter; he wore
no jacket, and the broad yellow stripe
down the leg of the faded blue trou.
sers alone proclaimed him a soldier.
He smiled across at her, and she low.
cred her eyes, while his glance wan.
dered on toward the others.
Don't to be very crowded to-
day." he began, genially addressing
Moylan. mot an extremely popular
route at present, I reckon. Mining,
%pardner?"
mo; post-trader at Fort Marcy"
"Oh. that's it," his eyebrows lifting
slightly. This Indian business is a
bad job for you then" His eyes fell
on his seatmate. well. If this isn't
little Gonzales!-You've got a good
ways from home"
Isl, senor!" returned the Mexican
brokenly. 81 tink l not remem."
mo. I reckon not. I'm not one OF
your class; cards and l never did
agree. shot up your game once down
at Union; night Hassinger was killed.
Remember now, don't you?"
Isl, senor." spreading his hands. 1T
raj mos unfortunate"
would have been more 80, II the
boys had got hold Of you-saint Anne!
but that fellow on the box is driving
some"
The thud Of the horses feet under
the lash. coupled with the reckless
lurching Of the coach, ended all fur
Their attempt at conversation, and the
foul passengers held on grimly, and
stared out of the windows, as II X
pecting every instant that some acct
dent would hurl them headlong. The
frightened driver was apparently
sparing neither whip nor tongue, the
galloping teams Jerking the stage aft
er them in q mad ace up the trail.
Hamlin thrust his head out Of the
nearest window, but a sudden lurch
hurled him back, the coach taking q
sharp curve on two wheels, and com
ing down level ono again with q
bump which brought the whole four
together. The little Mexican started
to scream out q Spanish oath, but
Hamlin gripped his throat before 1t
was half uttered. while Moylan pressed
the girl back into her seat, bracing
himself to hold her iirm.