The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-08-15
CHAPTER xxlv.-continued.

CHAPTER XXIV.-Continued.
The day grew dark ana murky as
,ney moved steadily forward. the wind
New cold from out the northwest, the
neayy canopy Of cloud settled lower in
frosty fog. which gradually obscured
the landscape This mist became so
thick that the mer could scarcely see
a hundred Yards in any direction. and
Hamlin placed pocket compass on
his saddle-p ommel. The trail was less
distinct as they traversed a wide
streak of alkali but what few signs re-
NAMED convinced WATSON that the flu
gitiyes were still together, and riding
southwark. Under concealment of the
fog his previous caution relaxed, and
he led The way at a steady trot, only
occasionally drawing rein to make GER
'ain there was no division of the par
y ahead. The alkali powdered them
rom head TO foot, clinging TO the
horses hides, reddening and binding
The eyes poisoning the lips dry and
Jarched with thirst. The two troopers
'Tore grimly but the Sergeant and
scout rode in silence, bent low over
heir pommels, eyes strained into the
mist ahead 1t WIS not yet dark when
hey rode in between the first sand
dunes, and WATSON, pulling his horse
up short. checked the others with up
lifted hama
"lharl be camp here soon" he
sad Swinging down from the saddle.
and stud ing The ground. The wind
has bout blotted it all out. but you
kin see Sere back O. this ridge whar
hey turred in, an they was walkin'
heir horses. Gittin' pretty tired
reckon We might as we'll stop yere
90, Sergeant, an eat some cold grub
lou TWO men spread her out, an rub
down tn" bosses, while Hamlin an |
poke about a bit. Better find out all
We lin. Brick fore it gifts dark"
He started forward on the faint
trail, his Iitie in the hollow of his arm
md the Sergeant ranged up beside
him. The sand was to their ankles.
lad off the ridge summit the wind
SVlrled the sharp grit into their faces.
What's comm. Sam; a Storm"
Snow" answered the scout shortly
blizzard Of it, er lose my guess
FORE midnight yer won't be able ter
see yer hand afore yer face. I've been
oct we're in them things afore. an
'aey're sure hell If we don't git sight
0 thet outfit mighty soon, t amt like
Y We ever will. I've been expectin
'dat wind to shift nor'east all day
men well get it," He got down on his
'hees, endeavorilg to decipher some
FAINT marks on the sand. Two of EN-
csmounted yere, an Iniun an white
a big Teller by his hoof prints-an
.he' went on leadin' their bosses
,"ln MO camp, reckon-sure
mere the spot now Well. I'll be
canned"
noth men stood staring-under pro
%ction of 4 sand ridge was a little
o'acKehed space where some mesquite
eMps had been burned. and all about
u freshly trampled sand, and slight
Impressions where men had out
stretched themselves. Almost at Was
@'n feet tiuttered a pink ribbon, and
'e'ohd the fire circle lay the body OF
man. face up to the sky. 1t was
,,Pnhors, ghaslly bullet hole between
'' eyes. one cheek caked black with
WOOD The Sergeant sprang across,
"'t oent owe: tue motionless form.
rockets turned inside out" he said.
9'dnelng back. The poor DEVIL"
rad quite row here" returned
~ ,'e scout That stain over thar is
1''ou' an Il never come from him, fer
-, u'ed whar he fell. Most likely he
, ,,' lurst, or used a knife The girls
"n EN- anyhow; | reckon, this yere
sure"
ne stirred up the scattered ashes,
=, then passed over and looked at
ne dead man.
., WAT dc yer think, Sergeant"
s, uey stopped here to eat, maybe
az hours ago." pushing the ashes
~. with his toe The fire has been
N.Y. mat long. Then they got into
ra 'rel-Connors and Dupont-for he
avs Shot with Colt AS no Indian
s,o aS that. Then they struck out
"a" n with two led horses. l should
,h they were three or four hours
'uead, travelling SLOW"
nj, oooo enough" and WATSON patted
rIa.s avn You're plainsman all
NJ Brick You kin sure read signs
MOI Just bout the whole story, as
sra Y Nuthin' fer us to do but
ra .n a bite an go on. Our bosses
sto.l nesner'n theirs. No sense our