The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-05-29
CHAPTER XIV.
In Pursuit.

In Pursuit.
The four men, heavily armed, and
equipped for winter service, rode up
the bank of the ravine to the irregu-
larity of plain beyond. The trail, lead
was easily followed, and WATSON,
slightly in advance Of the others, made
no attempt to check his horse, content
to lean forward, his keen eyes mark
ing every sign. Scarcely a word was
exchanged, since Hamlin had explained
what had occurred as they crossed the
river. Hardly less interested than the
Sergeant, the sober-faced scout con
centrated every energy on the pursuit,
both men realizing the necessity Of
haste. Not only would the trail be diff
fcult after they attained the sand belt,
but, If snow fell, would be utterly blot
ted out. And the dull, murky sky
threatened snow, the sharp wind hav-
ing already yeered to the northwest.
All about stretched a dull, dead pic
ture OF desolation, a d~un-colored plain,
unrelieved by vegetation, matching
the skies above, extending in every d.
rection through weary leagues of dis
NAL loneliness. The searching eye
caught no relief from desolate same
ness, drear monotony. Nowhere was
there movement, or any semblance Of
life. Behind, the land was broken by
ravines, but in every other direction
1t stretched level to the horizon, ex-
cept that far off southwark arose IT.
regular ridges Of sand, barren, ugly
blotches, colorless, and forever chang
Ing formation under the beating Of a
ceaseless wind. 1t was desert, across
which not ever a snake crawled, and
no wing of migrating bird beat the
leaden sky above.
The marks Of their horses hoofs
cutting sharply into the soil, told accu-
rately the fugitives' rate of progress,
and the pursuers swept forward with
caution, anxious to spare their mounts
and to keep out Of vision themselves
until nightfall. Their success depend
ed largely on surprise, and the conf
dence Of those ahead that they we're
unpursued. WATSON expressed the sit
uation exactly, as the four halted a
moment at an Observation-Disclosures
water-hole.
I'D think this yere plain trail was
some Injun trick, boys, If I 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 a 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' a needle in a haystack to try
an find them fellars after ter-night.
This is my idea-we1l just mosey
along slow, savin' the bosses 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 rel post no guard. Thet's 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
mar 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, IL
warned in time, could easily scatter
and disappear.
"Of course you are right, SAM" he
replied promptly. only l am 30 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 hat QUITE 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 V e meant ter kill
the Major, 'er take the girl erlong.
Them things just naturally happened,
an now they're scared stiff. It'll take
q Ody Cl WV WI GILL W LuohC w tuClI
minds what to do"
What do you imagine they will de-
eide, Sam?"
wall, thet's all guesswork. But I
reckon l know what I'd do II I 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 camp?"
81 reckon; he's down thar on the
| Canadian somewhat. You kin bet
those fellars know whar, an thet's
whit they're amin for, unless this
yere Dupont has some hidin' out
scheme of his own. Whar did you say
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 OF afore
they git down into that kintry, err we
won't have no scalps to go back home