Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-03-13

uatlon exactly, vas the four halted q
moment at an unexpectedly-discov
water-hole.
I'D think this yere plain trail was
some Injun trick, boys, If didn't know
the reason fur it. IT amt Injun ma
ture, an he's cock-sure that nobody's
chasin' him yet. He's figurin' on two
or three days getaway, and so don't
care tinker's dam bout these yere
marks. Once in the sand, an thar
won't be no trail anyhow. It's some
kintry out thar, an it would be like
huntin' needle in a haystack to try
an find them fellars after ter-night
This is my idea-well just mosey
along slow, savin' the hnsses an keep
ing back out O. sight till dark Them
fellars amt many hours ahead, an are
likely ter camp furst part of Their
night anyhow. They'll feel safe onct
hid in them sand-hills, an if they don't
git no sight of us, most likely they
won't even post no guard. Thets when
we want ter dig in the spurs Amt
that about the right program, Ser
geant?"
Burning with Impotence as Hamlin
was, fearful that every additional mo-
ment of delay might increase the girls
danger, he was yet soldier and plains
man enough to realize the wisdom Of
the old scout. There were at least
four men in the party pursued, two Of
them Indian warriors, the two whites
desperate characters. Without doubt
they would put up a fierce fight, or, if
warned in time, could easily scatter
and disappear.
"Of course you are right, SAM he
replied promptly "Only am so afraid
of what may happen to Miss Molly"
Forget it. Thar's nuthin' goin' ter
happen to her while the bunch is on
the move. If that outfit was all Injun,
or all white, maybe thar might. But
the way it is they'll never agree on
nuthin', 'cept how to git away. IT
amt likely they ever meant ter kill
the Major. 'er take the girl erlong.
Them things just naturally happened,
an now they're scared stiff. It'll take
day er two for EN- to make up their
minds what to do
what do you imagine they will de-
eide. SAM"
Wall, thet's all guesswork. But /
reckon know what I'd do if l was in
tibet sort o fix an bein' chased fer
murder an robbery. I'd take the easy
way; make fer the nearest Injun vii
lage, an leave the girl thar"
"You mean Black Kettles Campo"
Il reckon; he's down thar on the
Canadian somewhat. You kin bet
those fellars know whar, an thet's
whut they're amin for, unless this
yere Dupont has some hidin' out
scheme of his own. Whar did YOU saw
he ranched?"
Buffalo Creek"
"Thet's the same neighborhood
must We been in cahoots with those
red devils to have ever run cattle in
thar. We've got to head 'em off afore
they git down into that kintry, err we
won't have no scalps to go back home
with. Let's mosey erlong, boys"
The day grew dark and mul.ky as
they moved steadily forward the wind
blew cold from out the northwest. the
heavy canopy Of cloud settled lower in
a frosty fog. which gradually obscured
the landscape. This mist became Sc
thick that the men could scarcely see
hundred yards in any direction, and
Haml1n placed pocket compass on
his saddle-pommel. The trail was less
distinct as they traversed a wide
streak of alkali, but what few signs re.
NAMED convinced WATSON that the flu.
gitives were still together, and riding
southwark. Under concealment of the
fog his previous caution relaxed. and
he led the way at steady trot, only
occasionally drawing rein to make Ger.
tain there was no division of the par.
ty ahead. The alkali powdered them
from head to foot, clinging to the
horses hides, reddening and binding
the eyes, poisoning the lips dry and
parched with thirst. The two troopers
swore grimly, but the Sergeant and
scout rode in silence, bent low over
their pommels, eyes strained into the
mist ahead. 1t was not yet dark when
they rode In between the first sand
dunes, and WATSON, pulling his horse
up short, checked the others with up-
lifted hand.
"Thar'll be camp here soon" he
said, swinging down from the saddle.
and studying the ground. 1.-THE wind
has bout blotted it all out, but you
kin see yere back o. this ridge whar
they turned in, an they was walkin'
their horses. Gittin' pretty tired I
reckon. We might as we'll stop we're
too, Sergeant, an eat some cold grub.
You two men spread her out. an rub
down the bosses, while Hamlin an I
poke about bit. Better find out all
we kin. Brick fore it gifts dark"
He started forward on the faint
trail. his rife in the hollow of his arm.
and the Sergeant ranged up beside
him. The sand was to their ankles.
and off the ridge summit the wind
sWirled the sharp grit into their faces.
IN tyN -.