Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-07-03

8lanclnS DaCk. ne poor u0Nu!
Had quite a row here" returned
the scout THAT stain over thar is
blood, an 1t never come from him, fer
he died whar he fell. Most likely he
shot furst, or used knife. The girls
with 'em anyhow; reckon this yere
was her ribbon; that footprint Is
sure
He stirred up the scattered ashes.
and then passed over and looked at
the dead man.
What do yer think, Sergeant?"
"They stopped here to eat. maybe
five hours ago." pushing the ashes
about with his toe. THE fire has been
out that long. Then they got into a
quarrel-Connors and Dupont-for he
was shot with a Colt AS; no Indian
ever did that. Then they struck out
again with two led horses. should
say they we're three or four hours
ahead, travelling SLOW"
Good enough" and WATSON patted
his arm. you're a plainsman all
right, Brick You kin sure read signs.
Thet's just bout the whole story. as
make 1t. Nuthin' fer US to do but
snatch bite an go on. Our bosses
re fresher'n theirs. No sense our
stoppin' to bury Connors; he amt
worth 1t, an the birds'll take care o
him. The outfit was still headin'
south-see!"
There could be no doubt of this. as
the shelter of the sand ridge had pre-
served a plain trail, although a few.
yards beyond, the sweeping wind had
already almost obliterated every sign
of passage. The four men ate heartily
of their cold provender, discussing the
situation in a few brief sentences.
WATSON argued that Dupont was head
ing for some Indian winter encamp-
ment, thinking to shift responsibility
for the crime upon the savages, thus
permitting him to return once more
to civilization, but Hamlin chung to his
original theory of hide-out upon Du-
points old cattle-range, and that pur-
pose other than the mere robbery of
Mcdonald was In view. All alike, how
ever, were convinced that the fugi-
tives we're seeking the wild bluffs Of
the Canadian river for concealment.
1t was not yet dark when they again
picked up the trail, rode around the
dead body of Connors, and pushed for
ward into the maze of sand. For an
hour the advance was without Incl
dent, the scout in the lead not even
dismounting, his keen eyes picking up
the faint Sign" unerringly. Then
darkness shut down, the lowering bank
of clouds completely plotting the stars
although the white glisten of the sand
under foot yielded slight guidance
Up to this time there had been no de-
Walton in direction, and now when the
trail could be no longer distinguished
the little party decided on riding
straight southwark until they struck
the Cimarron. An hour or two later
the moon arose, hardly visible and YET
Frightening the cloud canopy, so that
the riders could see each other and
proceed more rapidly. Suddenly Was
son lifted his hand, and turned his
face up to the sky.
Snow" he announced soberly
Thought felt 1t afore, and the winds
changed"
Hamlin turned In the saddle, feeIine
already the sharp sting OF snow pei
lets on his face. Before he could ever
answer the air was full of Wilderness
fierce gust of wind hurting the fly
ing particles against them. In an
; other instant they were In the very
heart of the storm, almost hurled for
ward by the force of the wind, anC
blinded by the Icy deluge. The peltin,
of the hail startled the horses, and IL
spite of every effort of the riders, the,
drifted to the right, tails to the storm
The swift change was magical. Thu
: sharp particles of icy snow seemed t,
swirl upon them from every direction
sucking their very breath, bewildel
q ing them, robbing them OF all sense O
E direction. Within two minutes tn
men found 1t impossible to penetrat
!. the wintry shroud except for a fey
}, feet ahead of them.
e The Sergeant knew what It mean
for he had had experience of thes
J. plains storms before.
e Halt" he cried, his voice barrel
e audible in the blast. CLOSE up. men
1t come here to me-lively now! Ths
1t you, Wade? WATSON; oh, all RICH
t. Sam. Here, pass that lariat bach
s. now get grip on 1t, every one of 20
d and hold to it for your lives. Let n
If take the lead. Sam; Wen have to ru
IS by compass. Now. then, are yc
N ready?"
h The lariat rope, tied to Hamlin
s, pommel. Strengthened out and W;
grasped desperately by the glove