The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-02-26
CHAPTER xv-contInued.

'Yes. beyond that Outcropping OF
stone; the trail goes down thereF
Isl, senior; but if you ride down.
your soldiers, they know.
"They keep guard?"
"Si. senior; just below, out of sight,
vet where they can see. When come
cut they were under rock Shelf 10
keep off the snow. Maybe they there
yet"
How many?"
"Fiye sen,r: twu white and three
Sioux"
He studied the spot caretully
through the leveled feld glasses. ana /
then swept them inch by inch over
the snow-cOvered plain. He returned
them to the case, and cast one more
glance into the depths below.
"Very well, men" he said quleti!'
ave will return to the squadron.
Shaunessy. with ten men, was gwen
the cutting-Out job. the major draw
ing up his command behind the sahd
hills in readiness for a swift advance.
The sergeant led his little force wen
to the right of where the outpost was
hel,ered TO he. and finally dismount-
I'd them. leaving two men In charge
of the animals while, with the Others
be proceeded forward on foot. Inc
sand hills approached much closer 10
the river at this point, and ridges eX-
tended out into the plain, aHordlng
them considerable protection as they
cautiously advanced, seeking every
nossible bit of shelter. Shaunessy, US
ing the field glasses loaned him ny the
major. surveyed the ground carefully
before venturing to lead the way anu
in this manner the little party nnally
erept In behind the crest of land over
looking ffe valley of the Cottonwood
II Ind been the plan to drop silent
II over the edge of the bank, aho
work their way along. so as 10 at
tack the outlaws from the rear, thus
rendering the escape of any impos
E'ble. But once there on the grouh'
the slope was found to be far tos
abrupt for this purpose, and the ide'
ha.a IN he abandoned. The only othe
nrocedure was to creep along unde
she nrotectfon of the ridge. trustini
a. swiftness Of attack. The sergean
crept forward. inch by inch. wafchfu
Of everything in front. He neve
glanced back, but his carbine wa
flung forward. cooked and ready.
was fifty yards to where the gnarie
cedar protruded above the bank. Du
M Sign of any movement greeted mr.
nntfl he had nearly reached that poin
Then. suddenly. with no warming
any kind, red. bloated face shoVe
itself up above the edge OF the pam
The startled eyes looked directly II
10 the muzzle of the carbine.
"stop right there. buddy" said u
sergeant sternly. Now lads, oF'
You go."
they took the leap recklessly, son
roll,ng down the steep slope, othe
f,nsl,ng some sort of foOthOld and rus
inc aercely forward. The guard W
taken by complete surprise. helpie
most Of them before they could ev
reach their feet or grasp their We
pons. Shannessy backed his prison
down TO where the others stood suite
IL and surveyed the scene
give: that's the whole bunch.
said with satisfaction. "A very go
lob. Now. Gates, go up there and "
wag the major
Ten minutes later the advance d
OF the squadron topped the edge OF
huff and began 10 slowly move DO
the steep trail. Hays expressed his
prevail.
exceedingly well done, sergea
cot the whole outfit, see. Have "
men bring up your horses. The
ralls Us we have a free road now 4
he valley. so we will move right alo
onsetlv. men. and keep your distal
TTnsling carbines Forward !!
they moved steadiIy at a walk
troopers eagerly peering ahead
eaufiously refining back their mou
Tbare was scarcely linking of
rn,tremenfs as the long column
horsenen slowly advanced down
c-oolred trail toward the snow-cove
.1lav far below. Pancha, riding
side the major led the way tire
sho rnrsain 10 where the Cottonw
,.,,,nged over the rock precipice
,,,e feeper gorge beyond. To her
llfted hand of warning the coli
halted. the Mexican girl leaning
y exnlain the situation ahead.
Set is vera steep grade. she
San, sharp turn at the bottom. w
the trail runs under the falls. On
ofher side is log house. and tlle'
vows keen guard there. senior.
-And beyondg'
ssThe valley is open
He tried TO see through me
.analls. hut with little success.
~How heavy is the guard"
eThat cannot tell. senior 7
,rerp hrt two men there, when
ont But TIE log nut is saloon.
many may be there pow. ket Is
~ nee utraost cnution."
mo one i likely 10 be between
point and thatg
eNot on watch-no: some one =
ne passlng out they come and 60
aof course, we run that risk
falling water makes noise enoug
Urevenf our being heard. yet ! TIN
nav he best to uEe scouting n
The only way we can trap those
-. s,,t< /. eshf II through surn