The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-12-20


As they advanced, the weather mod
Grated somewhat. and the upper crus,
became soft Before them stretched
the dreary level Of the plains. broken
hy occasional ravines and little iso-
lated patches OF trees. No sign OF
Indians was seen other than the de-
serted trail, and confident that the
band had had fully twenty.four hours
start their pursuers advanced as rapid
! ly as the ground would permit. The
very clearness of the trail was evi.
Gence that the Indians had no con-
ception that they were being followed.
Confident Of safety In their winter re-
treat. they were making no effort to
protect their rear, never dreaming
there were soldiers within hundreds
of miles. Whatever report Dupont had
made, 1t had awakened no alarm Why
should It? So far as he knew there
were but two men pursuing him into
the wilderness, and both OF these he
believed lying dead in the snow.
Steadily. mile after mile. they rode.
and 1t was after dark when the little
column was finally halted beside
stream, where they could safely hide
themselves in a patch of timber. Tiny
fires were built under protection OF
the steep banks of the creek and the
men made coffee, and fed their hun
cry horses. The silence was profound.
! 1t was dark night, although the sur.
rounding snow plains yielded spec
trail light. Major Elliott, drinking cof-
fee and munching bareback with the
troop captain. sent for Sergeant Ham.
lin. The latter advanced within the
glow Of the fire. and saluted.
I'VE have been gaining on those
fellows. Sergeant" the Major began,
land must be drawing close to the
Washita."
I'VE are travelling faster than they
did. sir" was the reply. because they
had to break trail, and there were
some women and children with them.
I have no knowledge of this region.
but the creek empties Into the Washita
without doubt"
"'rhat would be my Judgment.
Sparkling and were just talking II
over. l shall walt here until Custer
comes up; my force is too small to
attack openly. and my orders are not
to bring on an engagement. Custer
has some Usage scouts with him who
will know this country.
But, Major" ventured Hamlin, "if
the General follows our trail It will be
hours yet before he can reach here,
and then his men will be completely
exhausted"
HE will not follow our trail. He
has Corbin and California joe with
him. They are plainsmen who know
their business. He'll cross the Canad.
ian. and strike out across the plains
to intercept us. In that way he will
have no farther to travel than we
have had. In my judgment we shall
not wait here long alone. Have you
eaten?"
mo, sir; have been stationing
the guard"
Then sit down here and share what
little we have. We can waive for
mality tonight"
It was after nine o'clock when the
sentries challenged the advance of
Clusters column, as II stole silently
out of the gloom. Ten minutes later
the men were lowering about the
fires, absorbing such small comforts
az were possible, while the General
and Major Elliott discussed the situa-
ton and planned to push forward. An
hour later the fires were extingulshed,
the horses quietly saddled, and noise
lessly the tired cavalrymen moved
cut once more and took up the trail.
The moon had risen. LIGHTING IN the
desert. and the Usage guides, together
with the two scouts, led the way. Al
Clusters request Hamlin rode beside
him in the lead of the troopers. No
a word was spoken above a whisper
and strict orders we're passed dowr
the line prohibiting the lighting OF {
match or the smoking of pipe. Can
teens were muffied and swords thrus
securely under saddle flaps. Like I
body of spectres they moved SILENT!
across the snow in the moonlight
cavalry capes drawn over their heads
the only sound the crunching o
horses hoofs breaking through tn
crust.
The trail was as distinct as road
and the guides pushed ahead as rapid
ly as by daylight, yet with ever In
creasing caution. Suddenly one of tn
Osages signalled for a halt. averrinI
that he smelled fire. The scouts dis
mounted and crept forward, discover
ing a small campfire, deserted blu
! still smouldering, in a strip Of timber
y Careful examination made 1t certai
that this FIRE must have been kindle
by Indian boys, herding ponies durin
the day. and probably meant that tn
village was close at hand. The Osag
guides and the two white scouts agai
t picked up the trail, the cavalry az
D vancing slowly some distance behin'
r Custer, accompanied by Hamlin, rod
5 yard to the rear and Joined tn
!. scouts, who were cautiously feelin
/ their way up slight declivity.
The Usage in advance crept throug
I the snow to the crest of the ridge an
: looked carefully down into the vale