The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-04-18

sudden plunge down q siopins jain
where the valley ~perceptibly narrowed.
To the left, beyond a fat expanse OF
brown, s~un-scorched grass. W
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 of the view, bar
rem of vegetation except for a few
scatter ed 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 a 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
OtSlue Tie iIOut WnSci, bhd66Oitho -
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"
ssTlA I1,tI -, q = ', h,,rct nnf tho
driver hoarsely, his startled eyes
sweeping the horizon. %"Injuns?"
Sure. plenty of signs, but l haven't
see any bucks myself. AS soon as l
discovered what had happened at the
Crossing | struck out on to the pla-
teau, and came around that way to
warn those fellows at Low Water. But
when l got sight Of that station from
off the bluffs yonder it had been wiped
out. Then l thought about this stage
going west today, and came on to meet
you. Must have ridden a hundred an
twenty miles since yesterday; the
mustang is all in"
Moylan stuck his head out the near
est window.
IOOh llhe tucy nuu Va hohS
at the Crossing?" he asked.
Not much; more like a night rad;
two whites killed, and scalped. The
third man either was taken away. or
his body got burnt in the building.
Horses all gone"
What tribe?"
"Arapahoes, from the way they
.a,1D1l. thof'c r-hnf p,aAa n ca Qnri-
ous-if those Northern Indians have
broken loose there is going to be war
this time for sure"
The men on the box looked at each
other questioningly.
Il don't see no use Syyin' to go on,
Jake. do you?" asked the driver sober
ly. Even II we do git through. thar
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 big
rocks. most probable" he concluded
Not havin' no ha'r to lose, I'm feI
goin' back"
With an oath of relief, the driver re
leased his brake and skilfully swung
the leaders around, the coach groan
ing as 1t took the sharp turn. The
man on the ground caught a swiftly
passing glimpse Of the young WON
ans face within, and strobe hurried,
forward as the coach started.
nII-Il an thnrn nordnnr ha nnpn
manded sternly, This poor bronze
won't travel another mile. There,
plenty OF room for me inside, and IL
turn the tired devil loose. Hold on
I say"
The driver once again slapped OF
the brake, growing and reluctant, hi
anxious eyes searching the trail il
both directions. Hamlin quietly IN
cinched his saddle, fingirg it to tn
coach roof; the bride followed, ant
then, with a slap on the haunch Of tn
released animal, he strod1 to the stag
door, thrust his Henry rife within
and took the vacant seat beside Cor
zales. With a sudden crack of tn
drivers whip the four horses leape
anu lne COACH CdTetHeu .
the slope of the trail, causing the pas
sengers to clutch wildly to keep fror
being precipitated into a mass on tn
floor. AS the traces Strengthened
Miss Molly, clinging desperately to
strap, caught her first fair glance q
the His hat was title
back, the light revealing lines {
. WEAKNESS and a coating of the gra.
powdery dust of the alkali desert, BIT
beneath 1t appeared the brown, SUI
scorched skin. while the gray eye
looking straight at her, were resolut
and smiling. His rough shirt, open
the throat, might have been the pro-
uct of any suffers counter; he VOL
no jacket, and the broad yellow striI
It down the leg of the faded blue tro'
If sers alone proclaimed him a soldie
He smiled across at her, and she 10,
cred her eyes, while his glance wa
tered on toward the others.