The citizen., 1913-08-22

relhs from Wasson's stiffened fingers,
and urged the horses forward Carroll
lurched drunkenly in the saddle, yet
retained sufficient life to cling to the
pommel. and thus the outfit plunged
Dllndly forward into the storm, leav-
ing the dead men where they lay.
There was nothing else to do; Ham.
Inns heart choked him as he plowed
his way past, but he had no strength
to lift those heavy bodies. Every
ounce of power must be conserved for
the preservation of life. Little as he
could see through the snow blasts
there was but one means of passage,
that along the narrow rift between the
ridges. The snow lay deep here, but
they floundered ahead, barely able to
surmount the drifts, until suddenly
they emerged upon an open space,
sheltered somewhat by the low hills
and swept clean by the wind. Direct
ly beneath, down wide cleft in the
bank. dimly visible, appeared the wei.
come waters of the Cimarron The
stream was but partly frozen over, the
dark current flowing in odd contrast
between the banks of ice and snow.
The Sergeant halted, examining his
surroundings cautiously, expecting ev.
cry instant to be fired upon by some
unseen foe. The violence of the storm
prevented his seeing beyond a few
yards, and the whirling snow crystals
blinded him as he faced the fury of
the wind sweeping down the valley.
Nothing met his gaze; no sound reach
ed his ears; about him was desola-
ton. unbroken whiteness. Apparently
they were alone in all that intense
dreariness of snow. The solemn lone
!iness of 1.-THE dark, silently flowing
river, the dun sky. the wide, white ex-
panse of plain, the mad violence OF
the storm beating against him
| brought to him feeling of helpless
ness. He was mere atom, strug-
Cling alone against Natures wild
mood. Then the feeling clutched him
that he was not alone; that from
somewhere amid those barren wastes
hostile eyes watched, skulking mur-
derers sought his life. Yet there was
no sign Of any presence. He could
not stand there and die, nor permit
Carroll to freeze in his saddle.
Foot by foot, feeling his passage,
he advanced down the gully, fairly
dragging his own horse after him.
Behind, held by the straining lariat.
lurched the others, the soldier sway
ing on the back of the last. swearing
and laughing in delirium, clutching at
snowtiakes with his hands. At the end
of the ravine. under shelter of the
| bank, Hamlin trampled back the snow,
herding the animals close. so as to
gain the warmth of their bodies. Here
they were well protected from the
cruel lash of the wind and the shower
of snow which blew over them and
drifted higher and higher in the open
space beyond. Working feverishly,
the blood again circulating freely
through his veins, the Sergeant hasti-
ly dragged blankets from the pack,
and spread them on the ground. de-
posting Carroll upon them. Then he
set about vigorously rubbing the sol
diers exposed flesh with snow. The
smart of it. together with the rough
ness of handling, aroused the latter
from lethargy, but Hamlin, ignoring
his resentment. grpped the fellow
with hands Of iron, never ceasing his
violent ministrations until his swear
ing ended in silence. Then he wrap
ped him tightly in the blankets. and
stood himself erect, glowing from the
exercise Carroll glared up at him
angrily out of redrimmed eyes.
'Ill get you for that you big boob"
he shouted, striving to release his
arms from the clinglng blankets. "You
wait! I'll get you!"
Hush up, George. and 80 to
Sleep" the other retorted, poking the
shapeless body with his foot, his
thoughts already elsewhere. Don't
be fool. I'll get fire if | can, and
something hot into you. Within an
hour you'll be a man again. Now see
here-stop that! Do you hear? You
lie still right where you are, Carroll,
until come back, or I'll kick your
ribs in" He bent down menacingly,
scowling into the upturned face. "Will
YOU mind. or shall have to hand you
one?"
Carroll shrank back like whipped