Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1913-08-14

out here on the plains I'll could not
remain at home With that disgrace
hanging over me.
sYou, must tell me all about II
Her, head@lifted suddenly as she
gazed out across the@riyer, shading
her eyes. Why, what are those!?1
she exclaimed eagerly. there, MOVING
on the bluffs ~opposite?'
His glance swept to the northward.
and he was as instantly the soldier
again. Far away on the upper plateau,
clearly outlined against the blue OF
the distant sky, appeared a nnmber OF
dark figures. For a moment he be.
liered them buffaloes, but in another
instant decided instead they were
horsemen riding two by two.
SECT down lower, Miss Mcdonald.
he commanded. Nov we ear see,
and not be seen. They must be
cavalrymen, the way they ride, but we
can take no chances"
They watched the black specks pass
east to where the bluff circled in to-
ward the river. 1t was from there
those distant riders first observed the
dim spiral of smoke still curling up
from the burning stage, for they
halted, punching together, and then
disappeared slowly down a cash IN
the side of the hill. Emerging on the
lower fiat they turned in the direction
Of the fire, squirting their horses into
q cy,y;f% %~~%& THnro vyo M 10nU0r
any doubt of their being troopers. and
Hamlin stood upright on the sand
hummock waving his hat. They were
gathered about the fire, a few dis
mounted beside the dead bodies, be.
fore his signal was observed. Then q
field glass flashed in the sunlight, and
three or four of the party rode down
to the bank of the river. One OF
these, the glasses still held In his
hand, his horses, hoofs in the water
shouted across the stream.
"Who are o over there?
white people," answered Hamlin
using his hands for a trumpet. wv
escaped from the stage last night.
am a sergeant, Seventh Cavalry, and
the lady with me is the daughter Of
Major Mcdonald at Fort Devere."
How did you get ~across?"
"Waded in the dark; there is gooe
bottom. Send a man v with
couple of horses"
The officer turned and spoke to the
others grouped beside him; then rails
ed his voice again. =
Are you sure there is no quick
sand?"
None to hurt; come straight owe
the enc of that sand spit, and theI
swerve about a dozen feet to the RICH
go to a horses belly. Try it. WATSON
you ought to know me"
You're Brick Hamlin, amt your
"a good guess, Sam; come on"
Two troopers left their saddles, ant
the third man, the one answering thu
last hail, gathered the reins in on
hand, and spurred his horse confident
ly into the brown water. Following
the S~ergeant's shouted directions, tn
three animals plunged forwarN an
came dripping VI the low sand bank
The rider, a salloW-faced man clad il
rough corduroy, patched and colo,
less, leaned yer and held out hi
hand.
"Dern yer O. skim" he said solemn
ly, but with a twinkle in his eyes
"ye're sure got the luck of it. Ain
e we afore fer two years." 9
That's right, Sam; down on tn
Cowskin, wasn't it? Who's owe
ther?"
Lieutenant Gaskins, an some o. tn
Fourth Cavalry, scoutin' out O. Dodge
ben plum to Their mountings, an goil
home ag'in. Whut the hell (beggil
yer pardin, mann has happene
yere?" +
"TIl explain when we get across,
and Hamlin swung the haversack t
his shoulder. and turned to the CIR
"This Is Sam WATSON, Miss McDo1
aid, a scout I have been out with b
fore; let me help you into the saddle