The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-07-17
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graduated upon. Major Elliott" she
said quietly.
"No-eh-perhaps I do not under
stand"
81 desire that you shall; I refer to
my engagement to Sergeant Hamlin."
The officer glanced in some bewil-
derment from her face to that Of the
silent trooper.
"You-you mean matrimonial" he
stammered, plainly embarrassed. un.
able so suddenly to grasp the peculiar
situation. "Hamlin, what-what does
this mean?"
Miss Molly and / have known each
other for some time" explained the
Sergeant bluntly. "Out here alone we
discovered we were more than friends.
That is all. sir"
For an instant Elliott hesitated,
held by the strange etiquette Of rank.
then the gentleman conquered the sol.
der, and he drew of his glove, and
held out his hand.
81 can congratulate you, Miss Nc
Donald" he exclaimed frankly. 81
have known Sergeant Hamlln for two
years; he is a soldier and a gentle
man"
The red blood swept into her
cheeks, her eyes Frightening.
HE is my soldier" she replied soft
ly, land the man l love-"
They rode together down the steep
hillside covered with its mantle OF
snow to join the little body of troop
ers halted In the valley. Only once
did Elliott speak.
You know Black Kettles camp,
Sergeant"
I'VE were almost within sight of 1t,
sir. I saw his pony herd distinctly"
Where was that?"
"On the Canadian, close to the
mouth OF Buffalo Creek"
Did you learn anything as to the
number Of Indians with him?"
Nothing definite, but it is a large
encampment, not all Cheyennes."
$50 we heard, but were unable to
discover the exact situation. We have
been feeling our way forward eau
tiously. I fear 1t is going to be my
unpleasant duty to separate you and
Miss Mcdonald. We shall need your
services as guide, and the lady will
be far better off with the main col
umn Indeed some Of the empty wag-
ons are to be sent back to Camp Sup
ply tonight, and probably Custer will
deem it best that she return with
them. This winter campaigning is
going to be rough work, outside Of
the fighting. You know Custer, and
his style; besides Sheridan Is him
self at Camp Supply in command"
"You hear, Molly?"
Eyes; of course. 1 will do whatever
General Custer deems best. Are there
any women at Camp Supply. Maori"
Eyes, a few; camp mostly,
although there may be also an officers
wife or two-19th Kansas volunteers"
Then it will be best for me to go
there, II l can," she smiled. 81 am
desperately in need Of clothes"
IT suspected as much. I will ar
range to give you a guard at once
And you, Sergeant? AS you are still
under special orders. l presume l have
no authority to detain you in my COM
mand."
II prefer to remain, SIR" grizzly.
Dupont, Miss McDonald's captor, Ia
alive and in Black Kettles camp. We
still have a feud to settle"
Good; then that is arranged; ah,
Miss Mcdonald, allow me to present
Lieutenant Chambers. Lieutenant, de-
tail three men to guard the lady back
to he main column. Have her taken
to General Custer at once"
Very we'll, sir; and the commando"
Elliott looked at the Sergeant in.
Quiringly.
THAT is for Sergeant Hamlin to de-
termine; he has Just been scouting
through that country, and will act as
guide"
The Sergeant stood for a moment
motionless beside his horse studying
the vista Of snow-draped hillside. The
region beyond the crest of the ridge
unrolled before his memory.
Then we will keep directly on up
this valley. SIR" he said at last. tits
Wolf Creek, Is 1t mott We shall be
safer to keep out Of sight today, and
this depression must lead toward the
Canadian. May I exchange mounts
with n Of those men going back,
Majori I fear my pony is about
DONE"
Certainly"
There was no opportunity for any.
thing save . simple grasp of the hand,
ere Molly rode away with her escort.
Then the little column Of troopers
moved on. and Hamlin. glancing back
ward AZ he rode past, took his place
In advance beside Major Elliott.
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Indian Trail
The weather became colder as the
day advanced. Scattered pellets OF