The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-01-23

terms still bObbed about between the
river and town, but there was already
sufficient light to make visible the
signs underfoot. Horsemen had
climbed the bank, the hoof marks yet
damp where water had drained from
dripping fetlocks, and had instantly
broken into lope. A moments glance
proved this to Hamlin as he crept
back and forth, scrutinizing each hoof
mark intently.
Five in the party" he said sober.
ly. Three mustangs and two Ameri-
can horses, cavalry shod. About three
hours ahead of u.s. He Strengthened
up, his glance peering into the gray
mists. 81 reckon it's likely our outfit,
but we'll never catch them on foot.
They'll be behind the sand-dunes be-
fore this Before we 60 back, boys,
we'll see if they left the trail where
it turns vest
The three ran forward, paying little
heed until they reached the edge of
the ravine. Here the beaten trail
swerved sharply to the right. Fifty
feet beyond, the marks of horses
hoofs appeared on the sloping bank,
Hamlin sprang down to where the
a large bowlder. His hand on the
stone, he stopped suddenly with quick
indrawing of breath, staring down at
motionless figure lying almost at
his feet. The man, roughly dressed,
lay on his face, bullet wound show
neck caked with blood. The Sergeant,
mastering his first sense of horror,
turned him over and gazed upon the
CHASTITY face Of Major Mcdonald.
my God, they've murdered him
here" he exclaimed. Shot him down
from behind. Look, men. No; stand
back, and don't muss up the tracks
There are footprints here-Indians,
by heaven! Three of them Indians!"
"Some plairsmen wear moccasins."
"They dor't walk that way-toes
in; and see this hair in McDonald's
fingers-that's Indian, sure. Here is
where horse fell, and slid down the
bank. Isn't that bit of broken feath-
err caught in the bush, Carroll? Bring
it over here"
The three bent over the object.
We'll, what do you say? You men
are both plainsmen.'
"Cheyenne," returned Carroll
promptly. But what the hell are they
doing he:e?"
Hamlin shook his head
1T will require more than guessing
to determine that" he said sternly,
And there is only one way to find out
That fellow was a Cheyenne all right,
and there were three of them and two
whites in the party-see here; the
prints of five horses ridden, and one
animal led. That will be the one Nc.
Donald had. They went straight UP
the opposite bank of the ravine. II
they leave a trail like that we can
ride after them full speed"
Carroll had be; bending over the
dead officer and now glanced up.
There's sand Just below, Sergeant
he said. That's why they are SC
darn reckless here" /
"Of course; they'll hide in the dunes,
and the sooner we're after them the
better. Wade, you remain with the
body; Carroll and I will return to the
fort and report Well have to have
more men-Wasson if can get him
and equipment for a hard ride. Come
on. Jack
They waded the river, and ran
through the town, shouting their dis.
covery to the marshal and his posse
as they passed. Twenty minutes later
Hamlin stood before the Colonel, hasti.
l. telling the story. The latter lis.
tened intently, gripping the arms OF
his chair.
Shot from behind, hey?" he ejacu-
lated land his clothing stolen. Looks
like a carefully planned affair, Ser
geant; sending that fellow through to
Ripley was expected to throw us OF
the track That's why they were so
careless covering their trail; expected
to have several days start. 1t is my
notion they never intended to kill
him; had row Of some kind, or else
Mac tried to get away. Any trace of
the girl?"
mo; but she must have been there"
so think; got mixed up in the af-
fair some way, and they have been
compelled to carry her off to save
themselves. DO you know why they
were after Mac"'
mo, SIR
We'll, do; he carried thirty thou |
sand dollars"
"What?"
He was acting paymaster. The
money came in from Wallace last eve
ming, and he was ordered to take it to
Ripley at once"
Hamlin drew in his breath quickly