Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-07-18

Pockets turned inside out" he said,
glancing back. 1.-THE poor devil!"
Had quite a row here" returned
the scout. THAT stain over thar is
blood. an it 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 sThe fire has been
out that long. Then they got into q
quarrel Connors and Dupont-for he
was shot with Colt 49, no Indian
ever did that. Then they struck out
again with two led horses. l should
say they were 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 it, an the birdsll take care o
him. The outfit was still a headin
| south-see!"
| There could be no doubt of this, as
the shelter Of the sand ridge had pre-
served 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 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-
t1ves were 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 vet
Frightening the cloud canopy, so that
the riders could see each other and
proceed more rapidly. Suddenly Was
son lifted his hand, and turned hia
face up to the sky.
Snow" he announced soberlv.
Thought felt it afore, and the winds
changed"
Hamlin turned in the saddle, feeling
already the sharp sting of snow pei
let's on his face. Before he could even
answer the air was full of whiteness.
fierce gust of wind hurting the n.y.
! 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, and
blinded by the icy deluge. The pelting
of the hail startled the horses, and in
| spite of every effort of the riders, they
drifted to the right, tails to the storm.
The swift change was magical. The
| sharp particles of icy snow seemed to
swirl upon them from every direction,
sucking their very breath, bewilder-
| ing them, robbing them of all sense of
direction. Within two minutes the
men found it impossible to penetrate
the wintry shroud except for a few
! feet ahead Of them.
The Sergeant knew what It meant,
for he had had experience of these
plains storms before.
HALT" he cried. his voice barely
audible in the blast. Close up, men:
come here to me-lively now! That
you, Wade? WATSON; oh, all right,
Sam. Here, pass that lariat back;
now get grip on it, every one of you
and hold to it for your lives. Let me
take the lead. Sam; wen have to run
by compass. Now. then, are you
ready?"
The iariat rope, tied to Hamlin's
pommel, Strengthened out and was,
grasped desperately by the gloved