The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-09-07
CHAPTER xlIl-continued.


--13-
The latter came down the slanting
bank gingerly and made for the near
est water hole, the girl slipping
quickly from the saddle and seeking
to quench her thirst farther upstream.
The water. slightly brackish, but still
fairly clear and pure, brought new
life, the animal wandering about in
his fresh environment, nibbling con-
tentedly at the scattered tufts of
grass, while Deborah studied her sur
roundings with awakened interest.
Old Tom Meager, in their rides to-
gether, had taught her some Of the
fundamentals Of plainscraft, how to
observe this thing and that, when
alone In the wilds. Now she applied
these lessons eagerly, searching for
some evidence of that trail which she
felt convinced must run up this lonely
valley. Nothing could be better
adapted to the purpose Of these out
laws than the course of this desolate
stream, mere thread extending
through leagues of sand, lying sufi-
ciently below the level to conceal
their movements. and yet furnishing
water for their stock. Surely they
must have left some trail behind.
But If so no trace remained along
the western shore. Convinced Of this,
Deborah, leading her horse, crossed
the narrow stream, stepping from rock
to rock. and clambering up the level
plateau on the other side. Even here
little was visible and she would have
overlooked even these signs but for
old Toms training. Evidence was
found-the scattered dead ashes of
fire; the mark of a shod horses hoof,
an open sheath knife, the blade not yet
rusted from exposure, and half
dozen emptied cartridge shells. Later,
upstream few rods, she found where
dozen horses had been tied to
picket rope, stamping their hoofs into
the soft sod. But beyond this point
the soil ceased, and, whatever trail
there was vanished on a surface of
hard rock which left no trace. Never
theless she mounted once more, and
rode on, still with her course to the
south.
How terribly exhausted she was,
reeling in the saddle from faintness.
She ached from head to foot. and she
felt strangely dizzy. Twice she dis
mounted to battle her face in the run
lining water. but had found it so diff
'ieult to climb up into the saddle again
she dare not venture third time.
She could only cling tight to the POM
mel, with eyes closed, and let the
horse pick his own way along the out
law trail. Box canyont Could this
be Box canyon? She opened her eyes
to look up, the great cliffs towering
so high above she could scarcely gain
glimpse Of ribbon of blue sky. 1t
was like twilight where she rode, the
walls purplish blue. nothing clearly
visible dozen yards ahead. She
shuddered at the dreary loneliness,
the awful silence. If this was Box
canyon, then she had come too late
there were no soldiers there.
She closed her eyes again, struggling
for control. for courage, clutching at
the pommel to hold herself upright.
Then the horse stopped as though
gripped by hand, and voice said
shortly
'Geel but it's woman. Say, wake
up, sister. and tell us what yer doin'
here"
She stared at him dumbly, boy in
khaki. his hand grasping her bride
rein, short rifle in the hollow of his
other arm, his face featuring aston
tshment.
asleep, was yers HI of a place
ter Sleep" fG
"Are you soldierY she asked,
struggling with her dizziness. "a cav
alryman?"
.Sure-U. S. You're Yank too,
amt yer? That's what bothers me;
now If yer was Mex, I'd know what
to do"
"WhatT"
Hustle yer on to the Lieut.: he an
the rest Of 'em are back there"
YES. yes. know" she exclaimed
excitedly. You are here to intercept
gun-runners across the line. IL have
been hunting for you all night. He
he Is dead-killed."
'Deadl Who's dead?"
captain Kelleen."
She reeled In the saddle, everything
black before her. The trooper sprang
and caught her as she fell.
CHAPTER XIV
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