Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-07-10
CHAPTER xIII-contInued.


Thirty minutes later in the great
barn-like barracks. he hung his ac-
coutrements ever the bed assigned
him In the far corner, and, revolver
belt still buckled about his waist. stood
at the open window, striving to de-
termine which of those winking lights
shone from the house where he had
seen her There had been something
In the eagerness of her voice which
he could not forget, nor escape from
She had seemed to care, to feel an in
terest deeper than mere curiosity. The
Sergeant's heart beat rapidly, even
while he sternly told himself he was
a fool. hand touched his shoulder.
and he wheeled about to grip Was.
sons hand.
We'll, Brick old boy" said the
scout genialiy, although his thin face
was as solemn as ever; 80 you fel.
lows have come back to be in the
shindy?"
We've been In II all summer. Sam"
was the reply. "It's been lively enough
south OF the Cimarron, the Lord
knows. I've been riding patrol for
months now. But what's up? No one
seems to know why we were ordered
In"
IT'S all guess-work here" and Was.
son sat down on the narrow bed and
lii his pipe. But the old man is get.
ting something under way, consolidat.
Ing troops. Your regiment is going to
be used. that's certain. I've been car
ryin' orders between here an Wallace
for three weeks now, an I've heard
Sheridan explode once or twice. He's
tired Of this guerilla business. an
wants to have one good fight"
1T is getting late"
That's the way he figures n opt
accordin' to my notion. We've always
let those fellows alone during the bad
weather. an they've got 80 thew exl
pect It. The old man figures hen
give 'em a surprise"
"A winter campaign"
why not? We can stand II n thew
can. o. course. I'm just guessin'.
there's no leak at headquarters But
Clusters up there" with wave Of the
hand to the north. "and they've got
the maps out"
What maps?"
j only got glimpse of them out Of
The tail of my eye. but reckon tbey
was OF the kintry south OF the Arkan.
sas, along the Canadian"
Hamlin sat down beside him. staring
across the big room.
Then it's Black Kettle; his band In
down on the Washita," he Announced
Il hope it's true"
They're arrangin' supply denote
anyhow: six companies Of infantry are
on Monument Greek. and i've troops
Of cavalry on the North Canadian
Already. Wagon trains have /. been
haulin' supplies. There's some stiff
work ahead when the snow flies or I
miss my guess"
Hamlin sat silent. thinking. and the
scout smoked quietly. occasionally
glancing toward his companion. Final.
ly he spoke again, his voice barely
audible.
That little girl you sent In with us
is here yet"
The Sergeant was conscious that his
cheeks famed, but he never looked
up.
Yes. saw her as we came in"
She's asked me about you once or
Twice; don't seem to forget what you
did for her"
Sorry to hear that"
mo, yer not; couldn't no man be
sorry to have a girl like that take an
interest in him. 'Tain't in human ma
ture. What did yer tell her about me!"
Tell herl" surprised. why, only
advised her to hang close to you II
anything happened. I didn't exactly
like the style of the Lieutenant"
"Thet's wat thought Well, she's
done II, though tibet hasn't pried her
loose from Gaskins. He's hauntin' her
like q shadow. It's garrison talk
they're engaged. but I amt 30 sure
bout tibet. She an hey got to- be
pretty good friends. though o. course,
It's strictly on the quiet. l amt got
no invite to officers row yit She's
asked me lot bout you"
Interesting topic"
Z well. reckon a. how she thinks It
is. enyhow. Yesterday she asked me
bout thet scrimmage yer had down
on the Canadian. Shed heerd bout II
somehow, an wanted the story
straight So told her all / knowed.
an yer oughter seed her eyes shine
while wus sorter paintin' It up"
"oh. hell; let's drop It," disgustedly.
The Lieutenant here YETI"
Sure; his Company 10 down on
Monument. but he got special detail.
He's got pull. Gaskins has"
How IN that7"
His old man is Senator. or some
thing. an they say. has scads o.
money. anyway. the kid finds the