The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-04-17

moving Will spirit, Tue uTIVeT = lOOt
on the brake, when the stage took a
sudden plunge down a sloping bank
where the valley perceptibly narrowed.
TO the left, beyond fiat expanse of
brown, sun-scorched grass. flowed
the widely-spreading waters of the Ar
kansas, barely covering the treacher.
GUS sandy bottom. and from the other
side came the more distant CLEAN of
alkali plains; to the right arose the
bluffs, here both steep and rugged,
completely shutting off the view, bar
rem of vegetation except for a few
scattered patches Of grass. Suddenly
a man rode out of a rift in the bank,
directly in front, and held up his hand.
Surprised, startled, the driver in
simultaneously clamped on his brake,
and brought his horses to quick
stop; the conductor, nearly flung from
his seat, yanked his gun forward.
"None Of that now," called out the
man in saddle quickly, both hands up
lifted to show their emptiness. This
Is no hold-up. I've got news"
He spurred his pony forward slow
ly, the animal seemingly barely able
to move, and swung out of the saddle
beside the front wheel, staggering
bit as though mis- limbs were cramped
as his feet felt the ground.
I'm from Fort Union" he said,
Seventh Cavalry, sent through by
way of Cimarron Springs. There is
hell to pay west of here; the stations
at Arkansas Crossing and Low Water
were burned last night"
'The devil you say" burst out the
driver hoarsely, his startled eyes
sweeping the horizon. "1njuns?"
Sure, plenty of signs, but haven't
seen any bucks myself As soon as
discovered what had happened at the
Crossing I struck out on to the pla-
teau, and came around that way to
warn those fellows at Low Water. But
| when I got sight of that station from
off the bluffs yonder it had been wiped
out. Then I thought about this stage
going west today, and came on to meet
you. Must have ridden hundred an
twenty miles since yesterday; the
mustang is all in"
MOylan stuck his head out the near
est window
Look like they had much of fight
at the Crossing?" he asked.
mot much; more like night raid
two whites killed, and scalped. The
third man either was taken away. OF
his body got burnt In the building
Horses all gone"
what tribe?"
"Arapahoes, from the way they
scalped; that's what made it so seri
ous-if those Northern Indians have
broken loose there is going to be wal
this time for sure"
The men on the box looked at each
other questioningly.
Il don't see no use tryin' to 60 on
Jake, do you?" asked the driver sober
ly. Even if we do git through, thai
amt no bosses to be had"
The other shook his head, rubbing
his gun-stock.
Most likely those same red devils
are layin' for us now somewhat be
tween yere an Low Water; whar the
trail runs in between them two biz
rocks, most probable" he concluded
"Not havin' no ha'r to lose, I'm fe
goin' back"
With an oath of relief, the driver re
leased his brake and skilfully swun!
the leaders around, the coach groan
man on the ground caught swift.
passing glimpse of the young WON
ans face within, and strobe hurried.
forward as the coach started.
Hold on there, pardner," he com
manded sternly, This poor brone
won't travel another mile. There
plenty of room for me inside, and III
turn the tired devil loose. Hold or
l say!"
The driver once again slapped O.
the brake, growing and reluctant, hi
anxious eyes searching the trail i
both directions. Hamlin quietly vi
cinched his saddle, flinging it to tn
coach roof; the bride followed, an
then, with a slap on the launch of tn
released animal, he strobe to the stag
door, thrust his Henry rifle within
and took the vacant seat beside Coz
! zalcs. With a sudden crack of tn
drivers whip the four horses leape
forward, and the coach careened o
the slope of the trail, causing the pa
sengers to clutch wildly to keep frol
being precipitated into a mass on tn
floor. AS the traces Strengthened
Miss Molly, clinging desperately to
strap, caught her first fair glance ;
the newcomer. His hat was title
back, the light revealing lines
WEAKNESS and coating Of the gra
powdery dust of the alkali desert, bl
beneath it appeared the brown, su
scorched skin, while the gray eye
looking straight at her, were resolu
and smiling His rough shirt, open
the throat, might have been the pro
uct of any suffers counter; he wo
J. no jacket and the broad yellow stri!
t down the leg Of the faded blue tro
# sers alone proclaimed him a soldie
He smiled across at her, and she 10