The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-09-05

rockets turned inside out" he said.
giancing back. The poor DEVIL"
Had quite a row here" returned
the scout. THAT stain over thar n
blood. an 1t never come from i'm. A,
ne died whar he fell. Most likely he
snot furst. or used a knife. The Rtrl's
with EN- anyhow: I reckon this we're
was her ribbon; that footprint II
sure"
he stirred up the scattered ashes.
and h passed over and looked at
the dead man.
What do yer think, Sergeant"
Ihey stopped here to eat, maybe
I've our ago." pushing the ashes
ABOUT with his toe. The fire has been
out That long. Then they got into a
quarrel-Connors and Dupont-for he
was shot with a Colt '45:' no Indian
ever did that. Then they struck out
again with two led horses. I should
say they were three or four hours
ahead. travelling slow"
enough" and WATSON patted
MS arm. You're a plainsman all
right, 'Brick:SYou kin sure read signs.
1hets Just bout the whole story, as I
make 1t. Nuthin' fer US to do but
snatch a bite an go on. Our bosses
re fresher'n theirs. No sense our
stoppln' to bury Connors; he amt
worth 1t, an the birdsll take care o
MIN. The outfit was still a headin'
south--see!"
There could be no doubt of this. as
the shelter Of the sand ridge had pre-
served a plain trail, although a few
yards beyond, the sweeping wind had
already almost obliterated every sign
or passage. The four men ate heartily
OF their cold provender, discussing the
situation In a few brief sentences.
WATSON argued that Dupont was head
ing for some Indian winter encamp-
ment. thinking to shift responsibility
for the crime upon the savages. thus
permitting him to return once more
to civilization, but Hamlin chung to his
original theory of a hide-out upon Du-
points old cattle-range, and that a pur-
pose other than the mere robbery OF
Don was In view. All alike, how
yer. were convinced that the fugi-
tives were seeking the wild bluffs OF
the Canadian river for concealment.
1t was not yet dark when they again
picked up the trail. rode around the
dead body Of Connors, and pushed for.
ward into the maze of sand. For an
hour the advance was without Incl.
dent, the scout in the lead not ever
dismounting, his keen eyes picking up
the faint sign" unerringly. Then
darkness shut down, the lowering banA
Of clouds completely blotting the stars
although the white glisten Of the sane
under foot yielded a slight guidance
Up to this time there had been no de
Walton In direction. and now when the
trail could be nc longer distinguished
the little party decided on ridins
straight southwark until they struck
the Cimarron. An hour or two late,
the moon arose. hardly visible and vel
Frightening the cloud canopy, so that
the riders could see each other and
proceed more rapidly. Suddenly Was
son lifted his hand. and turned his
face up to the sky.
Snow" he announced soberly
Thought ! felt 1t afore. and the winds
changed"
Hamlin turned in the saddle, feeline
already the sharp sting OF snow pel
lets on his face. Before he could ever
answer the air was full Of whiteness
a fierce gust Of wind hurting the fly
ing particles against them. In an
other instant they were In the yer,
heart Of the storm, almost hurled for
ward by the force OF the wind. ant
blinded by the icy deluge. The peltinf
of the hail startled the horses, and ir
spite Of every effort Of the riders, they
drifted to the right, tails to the storm
The swift change vas magical. Tn
sharp particles Of Icy snow seemed &c
swirl upon them from every direction
sucking their very breath, bewiIder
ing them. robbing them of all sense O,
direction. Within two minutes the
men found 1t impossible to penetrate
the wintry shroud except for a few
feet ahead of them.
The Sergeant knew what 1t meant
for he had had experience Of these
plains storms before.
Haiti" he cried, his voice barrel,
audible In the blast. CLOSE up, men
come here to me-lively now! Thal
you, Wade! Wasson; oh, all right
Sam. Here. pass that lariat back
now get a grip or It. every one of you
and hold to It for your lives. Let m,
take the lead, Sam; we'll have to rul
by compass. Now. then. are 20,
readyf"
The lariat rope. tied to Hamlin'
pommel. Strengthened out and wa
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