The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-07-24
CHAPTER xxxvI.
Ready to Attack.

There was g ford but It was rocky
and dangerous, and so narrow that
horse after horse slipped aside into
the swift current, bearing his rider
with him into the icy water. Comrades
hauled the unfortunate ones forth,
and fires were hastily built under 81
ter of the south bank. Those "
reached the landing dry shared their
extra clothing with those water
soaked, and hot coffee was hastily
served to all alike. Eager as the men
were to push forward, more than an
hour was lost in passage, for the
stream was bank full, the current
rapid and Uttered with quantities Of
floating ice. Some Of these Ice cakes
startled the struggling horses and in
ficted painful wounds, and 1t was only
by a free use of ropes and lariats that
the entire command finally succeeded
in attaining the southern shore. Shiv-
ering with the cold, the troopers again
found their saddles and pressed grimly
forward on the trail. Hamlin, with
five others, led the way along a beat
en- track which had been trampled by
the passing herd Of Indian ponies and
plainly marked by the trailing poles
of numerous wicky-ups.
This led straight away into the
south across the valley Of the Canad-
ian, on to the plains beyond. The
snow here was a foot deep on a level,
and in places the going was heavy.
AS they advanced, the weather mod
Grated somewhat, and the upper crust
became soft. Before them stretched
the dreary level Of the plains, broken
by occasional ravines and little iso-
lated patches of trees. No sign of
serted trail, and confident that the
band had had fully twenty-four hours
start their pursuers advanced as rapid
ly as the ground would permit. The
very Clearness Of the trail was evil
Gence that the Indians had no con
ception that they were being followed.
Confident of safety in their winter re-
treat, they were making no effort to
protect their real, never dreaming
there were soldiers within hundreds
Of miles. Whatever report Dupont had
made, it had awakened no alarm. Why
should it? So far as he knew there
were but two men pursuing him into
the wilderness, and both of these he
believed lying dead in the snow.
Steadily, mile after mile, they rode,
and 1t was after dark when the little
column was finally halted beside a
stream, where they could safely hide
themselves in a patch of timber. Tiny
fires were built under protection Of
the steep banks Of the creek, and the
men made coffee, and fed their hun
cry horses. The silence was profound.
1t was a dark night, although the sur
rounding snow plains yielded a spec
trail light. Major Elliott, drinking COT
fee and munching bareback with the
troop captain, sent for Sergeant Ham
lin. The latter advanced within the
glow of the fire, and saluted.
I'VE have been gaining on those
fellows, Sergeant" the Major began,
land must be drawing close to the
Washita."
1--WE are travelling faster than they
did, SIR" was the reply, because they
had to break trail, and there were
some women and children with them.
/ have no knowledge of this region,
but the creek empties into the Washita
without doubt"
THAT would be my Judgment.
Sparkling and / were just talking it
over. I shall wait here until Custer
comes up; my force Is too small to
attack openly, and my orders are not
to bring on an engagement. Custer
has some Usage scouts with him who
will know this country.
"But, Major" ventured Hamlin, III
the General follows u trail it will be
hours yet before he can reach here.
and then his men will be completely
exhausted"
HE will not follow our trail. He
has Corbin and California joe with
him. They are plainsmen who know
their business. He'll cross the Canad-
Ian, and strike out across the plains
to intercept us. In that way he will
have no farther to travel than We
have had. In my judgment we shall
not wait here long alone. Have you
eaten?"
mo. sir; I have been stationing
the guard"
Then sit down here and share what
little we have. We can waive for
mality tonight"
It was after nine o'clock when the
sentries challenged the advance of
Clusters column, as It stole silently
out Of the gloom. Ten minutes later
the men were lowering about the
fires, absorbing such small comforts
as were possible, while the General
and Major Elliott discussed the situa-
ton and planned to push forward. An
hour later the fires were extinguished,
the horses quietly saddled, and noise
lessly the tired cavafrymen moved
out once more and took up the trail.
The moon had risen. lighting M the
desert. and the Usage guides, together
with the two scouts, led the way. At
Clusters request Hamlin rode beside
him In the lead Of the troopers. Not
a word was spoken above a whisper,
and strict orders were passed down
the line prohibiting the lighting OF a
match or the smoking Of a pipe. Can
teens were mufied and swords thrust
securely under saddle flaps. Like a
body OF spectres they moved silently