Pittston Gazette

              \ Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE 00., PA., FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 13, 1896. A Weekly local and Family Journal. i" «IKSi;s | spewtive parade's, despite tho fact that 4 supper was .reaely unci they a* ready for supper. All over the garrison had gone the rumor of Big Road's hostile and defiant message, and the troops were wrathful at the indignity put upon their colonel. Some of them had stepped inside the quarters and were quietly examining their belts and equipments and counting the cartridges in their boxes. Ormsbv. sharini? the sntD- prvtwd excitement, had hastened out to join his friends of the Twelfth, his nerves tingling again at the thought of the possibility of a skirmish, and now he stood with Fenton close at hand, waiting eagerly for the first developments. But Vtle time was wasted. There was a brief parley between the lieutenant with the troopers and a formidable looking Indian who seemed to lead the others. Then the officer turned and sent a man galloping back to the post In four minutes he was in the colonel's presence, dismounted and making his report. question now, but it would rob us of the pleasure of knocking him out:—and be d d to him for spoiling my dinner!"torget to acta druiiKenness to tne usi as one which the public would accept without, question, he being an army officer, and when the governor himself was induced to add his complaint to those of his enterprising people the general yielded. it was not very cold, but all the same most of the men wens becoming sluggish and sleepy, and that was just about the time Wayne might be expected to wake up. And wake up he did. FarwelJ, grizzled and stout, Fari«», and slender—came loping CDr trotting the leading four, and, though it was not his accustomed place, there rode Terry Rorke, where, as he had explained to the satisfaction of the sergeant, he could be close to "Masther Will." The prairie was broad and open and fairly level. There was 110 need of diminishing front. A platoon could have ridden abreast and found no serious obstacle, except the snowdrifts in tho deep coulees. Two miles to the west they sped, moving cautiously at first so as to give no inkling of their intent, and, for the first time, almost doubling back upon their tracks, so its to keep well away from the Indian rear guard. ant 111 charge ai;Ci bade tinn nnd he %\ny eh wu the steep incline to the jottom of the gorge, which there was iC)t more than 2f)0 fret he tow, giving :iim instructions to be ready to sweep it uroKe through ami got a\,uv. mi* mliians claim to have killed several of our people, but they are the biggest boasters on the face of the globe. The cowboys over yonder believe it, because t hey hate Fenton and the Twelfth and wouldn't lie sorry to have them worsted, because that would bring on a big war and lots of troops. We would have heard it by this time in some way had tliere been serious dis;ister." At 8 o'clock that night, with one platoon in dispersed order well to the front and others in reserve, while the garrison of Fort Frayne stood by their arms within the fort, Captain Farwell's troop moved slowly up the dark valley, along the snow covered flats, out beyond the point where, tho delegation was met at dusk and held at bay, and, though the stars were glinting in tho frosty sky and not a breath of air was stirring and the night was still as solitude itself, not a whisper could lie heard from the direction of the village, not a spark of fire could be seen. Over against them 011 the northern shore wore sounds at times as of rapid hoof beats muffled by tho snow. Half a mile out a horseman loomed up at the front and in a moment was merged in the advancing line. f\fe. "I have had 110 orders 011 no account to attack," said he, "and I haven't time to read all the rot they've wired to Fenton. Watch for tho next shots ahead there," he cried to the foremost troopers, "and sock it to them I" with their fire when the warriors came, as come they speeaily must. Next, facing eastward, he deployed his men. causing them to stand or kneel in the shelter of the little trees, but to keep vigilant lookout. Another little squad was strung out down the face of the bluff to keep connection with the men descending to the depths of the canyon, and these preparations were barely completed when, rapid gait, two horsemen came dashing up the eastward slope. Tho panting of the ponies could be heard before anything could be seen, The dispatches sent by courier called for explanation of the charges made by the agent and civilians, intimated doubt as to the wisdom of Fenton's course or the accuracy -of his information and wound up with the significant clause, "Do nothing to provoke hostilities or arouse the fears of the Indians," and here he had been in hot pursuit of them all the livelong day. r—- —D,  Then it was beautiful to see how even tbe horses seemed to rouse from their stupor and apathy, and something almost like a cheer burst from tho lips of tho younger men. Old hands took a swig of water from their canteens and a bito at the comforting plug. Out from the sockets came tho brown carbines, and a fresh platoon was ordered up to relieve the advance, and Lieutenant Randolph took Martin's place at the front. Every little while through the darkness ahead had come a flash and report from the invisible foe, and, as these had been suffered unavenged, it was soon observed that the lurking warriors grew bolder and that with every shot the distance seemed to decrease. For half an hour past they had been coming in from easy pistol range, and Randolph took the cue. Bidding his men open out and ride several yards apart, yet aligned as much as was possible, he ordered carbines droppe d and revolvers drawn and then, trotting along the rear of tho dozen, gave his quick caution to man after man. "Watch for tho flash and let drive at it. Even if we don't hit, we'll keep them at a respectful distance," he said, and tho words were hardly out of his mouth when a ruddy light leaped over the snow, a shot went Kipping past his head, and then, followed by a roar of approval from tho main column, the revolvers of the advance crackled and sputtered their answer. The landscape was lit up for an instant, dark forms went pounding and scurrying away from tho front, and a moment later there uprose a cheer over at the right, and Randolph galloped to tbe i=pot An Indian pony lay kicking, struggling, stiffening in tbe snow, shot through the body, and the rider had had to run for it. "But, doctor, Miss Fenton and others with her hastened away when they saw me coming, and they were in tears." "Oh, they've got hold of some silly story that the servants Lave been gabbling and that I've tried to test, that Farrar is among tho injured. It all comes from that vile roost over there," said he, scowling malignantly at Jimtown. "No, don't you give way, Mrs. Daunton," he continued as she seemed to shiver and tremble. "I shall need all your strength if there be trouble coming. But, it my opinion is not sufficient, let me tell you what Captain Lcale thinks. He says that the Indiana wouldn't light in the dark except at long range, and the story is tnat Will was tomahawked. Keep everything from her, therefore, for thf present Colonel Fenton will be here by noon." corv»«fcHl. iB9fc- Bv *. TInnyson should then be accorded equal Honors— aye, that more officers—chiefs—were present at Graice's grave than when the son of a Brule warrior was laid to rest ? This "they could not fathom, and this, despite the strained relations that had resulted in the death of Laramie Pete, the cowboy emissaries proved eager t6 explain in (heir own way andtoexplain to attentive ears. Stung to the quick, Fenton nevertheless pressed vigorously on. Tho result would justify him, antf he could wait for his vindication until the campaign was over. The village at sundown could not be more than three miles away, said his scouts, and the energy of Big Road's defensive measures was redoubled. Instructions to do nothing to provoke hostilities were dead letters, now that hostilities had actually been provoked—not by him or his people, but, between them, by Big Road and the cowboys. There was only one course for Fenton to take, and that was to overhaul the village and peaceably if he oould, but forcibly if ho must, escort it back within the reservation lines. Bat had ridden lip just as the sun was disappearing to say that the Indians seemed to bo headiifg for a deep cleft in tho foothills through which the buffalo in bygone days had made, their way. Now, if Fenton could only send Farwell or Amory with half the squadron to gallop in wide detour to the west under cover of the darkness and Reize the bluffs overhanging tho canyon, meantime making every pretense of keeping up the pursuit with the remainder of his force, he might trap the village while most of its defenders were still far nway. Darkness settled down over the desolate wintry landscape, and the two troops dispatched on this stirring and perilous mission were those of Farwell and Malcolm Lealo, the latter led by its boy lieutenaut, Will Farrar. CHAPTER XIIL Then, in long curve, Farwell led thorn toward the low, rolling hills, now dimly visible against the firmament, and presently the ravines began to grow deeper but farther apart, the slopes more abrupt, and the westward hills loomed closer in their path, and still tho •Bowy expanse showed unbroken, and Bear, bending low over his neck and watching for signs, declared . nat no Indians had crossed as yet into the hills and that the entrance to Elk gulch was now not more than a mile to the north. And here the hills' rolled higher, both to their front and toward the west,  Farwell rode on up a gradual ascent until the slope began to grow steep, then, dismounting, led tho way afoot, the whole column rolling out of saddle and towing its horses in his track. Jack Ornishj- did not go east by the first train after the Christmas ball as had been his purpose, but he saw no more of the lady of his love. DrLate that dreadful night, rousing for a few moments from the stupor into which she had been thrown by the announcement that it was her own brother who Jay there downstriclcen in the midst of |utD career of crime and shame, Ellis,, Farrar, little by little, realized  miserable truth, mat ffc, her brother, was the man who bad wrecked Helen Daunton's life—Helen, who, to spare that invalid mother an added sorrow, had hidden from her the name of the man whose brutal blows and curses bad rewarded her love. but tho instant the vague shapes appear- j ed two sudden shots rang out on the J night, and then a dozen—a sputtering volley—flashed from tho line. Down went one pony, struggling and rolling in the snow. Away sped the other back into the blackness of the night. Then a dark object seemed to disengage itself from the struggling pony and go crouching and limping away. Two or three excited young soldiers banged their carbines without the faintest aim. Then it seemed as though tho hillsides woke to a wild revel of battle, for, behind them, far up the canyon, there rosea wail of terror from the fleeing squaws and shouts of the few old braves left to guard them, resounding warwhoops of younger Indians somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, down the slopes to the east. Then a bright column of flame shot high in air over among the rocks to tho north of the gate, and afar out over the eastward prairie Big Road and his braves came dashing, driving, thundering to the rescue. "They'll not try the gulch, sorr," shouted Rorke in his ear. "Only a few will push in hera Most of 'em will come this way and get around us to our "What is it, sergeant? What news have you?" ashed tho young platoOn commander. "Big Road's compliments—I mean, the lieutenant's compliments, sir—and Big sends his .delegation for three wagon loads of meat, flour, sugar and coffee, sir, and says as the colonel hasn't come to see him he's going to move." The colonel laughed—the first laugh since Christmas, somebody remarked at the time. ' 'Are you sure there's no mistake, Fallon?" he asked tlio messenger. "That's what the lieutenant asked itho Indians, sir, but we have two of L' troop with us—what's left of 'em —one Brule and t'other Ogalalla, and they both translate it the same way, and Bat is with us. too. sir and be save it's like Big Road when he gets liquor in him. He thinks lie's lord of the earth. Bat savs bo's drunk now, and believes the colonel will lie glad to do as he demands for fear of him." "Well, who brought the message? Who's that big buck in the lead there?" "That's One Eyed Bull, sir—him that was nursed in the hospital here after the fight three years ago." "Bull? He ought to know better than to bring any Ruch message," said Fenton reflectively. "I presume he dare not refuse, however. Mr. Adjutant, mount Fallon's horse, gallop out there, and tell Bull to tell Big Road to go to the devil. That's all on that head. Captain Farwoll, as scon as your men havo had suppC* let them stuidle and be ready for night work. Orderly, have my horse sent up in half an hour. That's all for the present, gentlemen. Come, Jack— Lou's waiting dinner for us." It was the first time that any one had seen Fenton mad, as Amory put it, when tho group broke up. "Either Big Road will oorne down off that high horse or the old man will snatch him, and within the next few hours too. Ormsby brings us luck. He never comes out here that we don't have a shindy of some kind." More than one officer was thinking of this remark of Amory's as they scattered to their homes. Many a dinner was kept waiting and many a housewife had to be placated w hen the lord and master hurried in, and tongues that were primed with wifely reproof were stilled by the tidings that quickly spread from door to door. Big Road had made an insolent demand and coupled with it a defiant message. Big Road was drunk and had threatened to move with his village, and then it would become the duty of the Twelfth to surround and herd hftn back. Under the stipulation of a late treatyjhe was allowed for hie winter range only the south bank of the Platte, from Frayne to the breaks of the Medicine Bow. If he crossed the Platte and struck out for the Big Horn, he invaded the cattle lands and laid himself open to attack from the hustlers. If he dove into the mountain range to the south, he left his reservation and forfeited the rations and supplies which the agent at Fetterman Bend was bound to issue at regular intervals. He had quarreled with the agent and moved his village up stream to within ten miles of Frayne—which he had a right to do. He had quarreled with—and on good grounds—the cowboys and then been taken under the wing of Uncle Sam for safety, and cow be proposed quarreling with his benefactors and launching out on forbidden territory, and that meant business for all at Frayne. But One Eyed Bull was no truculent warrior. He had delivered his messago in accordance with his chief's demands, and in far more civil tone and terms than it was consigned to him, then had waited in dignified silence, confronting the somewhat flippant binccoats from the fort, refusing to make any response to the jocularity and ridicule in which wnie of their number indulged or to enter into any discussion with Bat or the two Indian soldiers as to the probable inspiration of Big Road's bombast. Well enough he realized when the adjutant arrived upon the sccne that the "bluff" had totally failed, and before a word was spoken read contemptuous refusal in the young officer's face. They were indeed cold and hungry over in the village, and ho himself and the warriors with him would have been glad of a feast on army rations. Nor were the warriors at all satisfied with the judgment and discretion of their chief, but one and all the Indians were now imbued with the warning of their medicine men and expected nothing less than some sudden act of hostility on th" ti.ldiers' part. If there ever was a time in Big Road's history when a ch ar head and cool brain were needed, it was now, just when ho had succeeded in getting drunk, and well had the cowlioys reasoned. While some of the number lured the chief to the banks of the Platte arid plied him with lies and whisky, others were scurrying up and down tho valley, routing out the ranchmen, settlers and ' hustlers" and warning them to be in readiness to gather at the given signal, for there was no telling what would bo tho find consequence of their diplomacy. If Big Road pimply broke camp and started with his whole village in the* dead of night in hopes of leading the soldiers a stern chase to tbe Big Horn, they could (•tumble in his way, impede his flight and bring on a row in which, with vastly superior numbers, tliey could at least rob the red men of their jiony herd. That would be part satisfaction for the death of Laramie Pete. Then, when the soldiers came up, they could sail in after them and claim such spoil as was worth having and all tho credit of having brought the chief to bay. If, on the other blind, Big Road became so crazed with their firewater as to go down and beard the lion in his den and defy the cavalry at the fort, then there might be a pretty scrimmage right over 011 the flats when the colonel ordered the chief's arrest, and when the soldiers were tackling the warriors in the open and having a nip and tuck fight of* it the frontiersmen could surround the village inid help themselves. There would be only old men and women and children to defend it. There was glC* in, therefore, in Bull's sole remaining optic as he received in majestic silence the adjutant's indignant rendering of the colonel's message, and, motioning to his blanketed braves to follow, he turned altout and rode away. " What do you think they'll do?" wa« the eager question askrd the adjutant on his return to the jxist. "Is he mad enontrh to monn fight ?" "Co Is, it be doesn't get any drunk er," was the answer. "More whisk) I would he tho surest way of settling the "Old Fontou thought he'd done me when be moved that bloody lDand*ij» "They're off, sir! A whole gang of old folks and women on ponies and travois has started across the Platte. The warriors are all there yet. you'll hear Big Road shouting in a minute. He's fighting full and is urging on some deviltry. I can't make out what, but from all we can understand of it he wants to lead a rush through tho stables to capture or kill the horsca He's just drunk enough to try, but the others won't let him. They declare they won't follow him. They know too much. What they want 10 do is to got out and reach Trooper creek tonight, I reckon. " hero to the fort," said the cowboy king to his admiring audience over at the saloon across the Platte. "If I don't pay him off with compound interest within the month u id make him wish he hadn't monkeyed with my business, call mc a coyote. He and the stuck'up gang he heads will wish to trod they'd left those Indians where they were," "Keep everything from her, doctor) A mother reads faces as you do books. No one can conceal from Mrs. Farrai that ill news is in the air and that it is of her tioy. Is there no way we can find the truth? Anything almost would be better than suspense!" she cried with breaking voice. More than all did Ellis realize that the lover, whose loyalty and devotion she herself had repaid with scorn aud contempt, had suffered her words in silence rather than betray another woman's confidence and thereby divulge a truth that would overwhelm with shame all who bore the name of Farrar. Then it was that, hysterically weeping, she broke down utterly, and before the setting of another sun the mother and all the household learned from her lips that it was all (hat was left of Royle Farrar that now Jay there, cold aud stiff and still in that bare, echoing ward of the old hospitu', awaiting the last volleys and the solemn trumpet Balutation to the soldier dead. And fivr- days after Christmas Colonel ' •Titou heard of goings on within the i!hi(-.e that, gave him cause to summon t* adjutant and officer of the day, to Up, up they climbed until, breathing hard now, but pushing relentlessly on, the captain reached the crest, and faint, and dim in the starlight, dotted here and there with little clumps of spruce or cedar, the rolling, billowy surface lay before him, shrouded in its mantle of glistening snow. Leading on until the whole command had time to reach the top, he motioned Will to halt, while he, with Bear and Sergeant Bremmer, pushed a few yards farther on. The column took a breathing spell and waited. "I know of none, iny poor friend," be gently answered. "All over there at the settlement is riot and confnsion. They believe everything and know nothing. It may be hours before we can get details, for the Indians say the fight took place away in among the bills through Elk Springs canyon, over 5C miles north of us, and the telegraph line from Laramie to the old poet follows the stage road from Fetterman fai to the east. If any reports, however, have got in by way of Laramie, they would surely been repeated up here for our benefit." "Ride back, then, and let the captuin know. Who else ure out at. the front on watch?" nt.li I,is sentries 011 everv front, and to realize how mueu 111 inese few years he had learned to lean for counsel and supjxirt on Mulcolm Leaie; for now the isolonel was forbidden, as was everybony else, to see him even for a moment Not only had the flash of the explosion wrecked his eyesiC®it but there was grave reason to fear that he had inhaled the flame. Captain Lc ale was suffering torment, yet bearing bis burden without "Only Rorke and two or three of the Indian troop, sir. They are taking care of themselves, though." And then for a moment the forward movement censed. "Halt, halt!" were the low toned orders of the noncommissioned officers dispersed along the line, and under the twinkling stars, dim, ghostly and silent, tbe extended rank of riders seemed as one man to rein in and wait Here and there an impatient charger began to paw the snow, and others sniffed suspiciously and cocked their pointed ears in the direction of the unseen village. Some young troopers, tremulous with excitement and cold combined, began to slap their fur gloved hands on breast or thigh and had to be sternly called to order. Presently a muffled horseman came riding up from tbe roar, a trumpeter in his tracks. right." "Open out, men! Push out southward there as fast as you can!" shouted Will, as ho ran bounding through the snow toward the light of his invisible line. Far out to the eastward and below tbem an occasional flash as of rifle or revolver sparkled through the night, and tho faint report was presently borne to their listening ears. Big Road was still barring the way of the column then, and that meant that all the village was not yet safely within the grim walls of the canyon. Northward the snowy slopes rolled higher still, but it was northwestward, among the clumps of trees, that the leaden had gone. The steam from tho horses' nostrils und from their heaving flanks rose on the keen air, and the blood raced and tingled in tbe veins of the men. Not a whisper of mountain breeze was astir. The night was as still as the voiceless skies. Three, four minutes, with beating hearts, the litt.'e command watchcd and waited and drew longer breath, and then a dark shape came jogging back from the front, and Farwejl's voice said, "Mount and come on." a moan. Only a corporal's guard formed the flrino oartv v, 1 e n. iust before sundown, tbe lemains of Privute Graiese were laid in the bleak, snow covered cemetery out on the rolling prairie, but more than a doaen men in the crowded garrison knew by that, time that the folds of the flag were draped over the mortal remains rsf a » I's son. A troubled man was the veteran post surgeon all that woeful week. Ellit- Farrar, delirious in burniug fever, Malcolm Leale proRtr:;te on a ted of pain, blind and breathing only in agonized gasps, Mrs. Fariar looking so fragile and weak that it seemed as though a breath might blow away the feeble flicker of her life, others of the- women more or less overcome and shocked by the events of the last few days, and now, right in the midst of it all, came indi cations of trouble in the Indian village up the stream—powwowing, speech making and dancing by night, runner flitting to and from the Big Hern, me* angers darting in from other tribes—p and when Fenton sent for Big Road tC\ come into the office and explaiu the chief temporized, expressed himself at suspicious of plot to separate fun from his people and to hold him as hostage at the fort One hour later, as the advance was still groping along the trail and the weary troopers, ultimately leading afoot and riding sleepily in narrow column, pushed steadily in their tracks, two horsemen 011 jaded mounts came spurring from the rear, and Wayne, with sorrowful face, handed his dispatches to the colonel. By the light of a little pocket lantern Fenton read, while in brooding silence a knot of half a dozen officers gathered about, them. Tim closing paragraph is all we need to queite: "You will therefore turnover tho command to Major Wayne and report in person at these headquarters without unnecessary delay. Acknowledge receipt." At any other time the colonel might havo been expected to swear vigorously, but tbe trouble in Wayne's face and the unspoken sympithy and sorrow were too much for him. "All right, old boy," said he as "Watch for them! They'll como with a rush when they come at all!" And just then a man came hurrying to them from the line of officers' quarters. It was Leale's attendant. "The captain says, sir, that he thinks if you wire through Laramie they will be having news by this time at Buffalo or Mc- Kinney stage stations." "That's right, Randolph," said the major, spurring to his side. ' fNow, keep 'em off, but don't push too hard. Remember, we've got to give Farwell time." And Rorke, whose business it was to remain with his "comrades in battle" where fiist he was posted, near the brow of the steep, went running after bif young commander as hard as be could go, with no man to stop bim. In the excitement and darkness, 11. the thrill of (he moment, frme of th» men seemed disposed to huddle together rather than to increase (heir intervals, for plainly now cc uid Le heard a dn] thunder of hoofs—the roar of the cost ing storm. Then, too, shadowy epcclti of horsemen could be dimly seen dart ing into partial view and out again, lik the flash that greeted (hem. But far u tbe gorge, behind Farrar's line, tl,t sound cf battle grev fiC rcer and loudti Then, down from the depths of the can yon, there came sudeleu clamor of sho: and cheer and challenge and yells cf rage and defiance, and then all on i sudden out from among the stunteC trees, with panting, struggling, bound ing ponies, with lashing, beudiug, yell ing braves, there burst upon them tb' main body of the Indians, threescor warriors at least, and despite the rin; of shots on and through and over the;- "How far ahead is that confounded canyon, Bat?" asked tho adjutant at the moment "That was like Leale," thought thC doctor, "and he must have heard she was here with me." "It's worth trying," he said aloud. "Will you go with me to the office?" It was an awe.ej u »en group that gathered abeut the bC pita) when the bearers came forth with their burden and placed it in the waitiug ambulance and tbe firing squad presented arms. Tbe ide-a of the recreant, the would be murderer, Tom Graice, being buried with military honors had not occurred to tbe garrison as a possibility. Yet hare was the little escort; here wen the trumpeters—tbe band had been mercifully excused; here were pallbearers from his troop instead of from among the garrison prisoners, as might have been ruled when 0110 of their number died; here were old Terry Rorke and ■ame of the senior sergeants of tho regiment; here indeed, with pallid face, was young Lieutenant Farrar, with him Mr. Ormsby, tbe adjutant quartermaster, the surgeon and one or two veteran captains, Major Wayne and even Colonel Fenton himself! Whoeverliewd of such an array as that attending the obesequie« of a criminal? Fort Frayne was mystified and talked of it for hours, but the story told itself befeire tattoo, and the mystery was done. They bad burie?d the firstborn of the colonel whom all me;n loved and honored and mourned, and old Fenton himself decided that as Graioe bad never yet be*sn tried and cemvictcd and could never appear before an earthly tribunal, he must be considered as innocent and so issued the order that no military honor should be denied except tbe banei It was too bitterly cold for them to attempt to play, for the valves of the instruments would freeze at once, and it was deemed best that no sound of the dirge music should reach the etars of Marjorie Farrar. Neither she nor Ellis knew when the funeral took places Mrs. Farrar learning only on the following eiay, Ellis not until weeks thereafter, for. as a result of all the long, gradual strain, culminating in the shock of that tragic night and the realization of the wrong she had done the honest mnn who bad ao loved 1 . her strength gave way, anel brain fever and delirium aupcrvemed. In the we*-k that followed that hapless holiday Ellis hovered on the botderland 'twixt life and death, and no man conld say that tbe fatal Christmastide might not claim still an other of the Farrars. "Not more than two miles now. I hunted buffalo all over here when I was a boy," was the answer. "Big Road's people all there by this time, I'm afraid." "That's right, Martin. You did we'll to halt a minute. I've sent back word to Colonel Fenton. He had wired to the agency before v.e pulled out. " "I must. I cannot return to her with such news as I have heard." And so together they hastened over the snowy parade, and Marjorie Farrar, watching from tbe dormer window of Ellis' little room, saw them and read the motive of their going. "Then you think that they got there first—that they've got the bluffs?" "Can't we turn 'em back without his authority, sir?" "No, even when we know they mean to cross the Platte. But orders wil' come tonight The wires are working well." 44 'Fraid so. Big Road no fool. He wouldn't let his village drive into a gulch and not guard the bluffs. If the captain got there first, they'd have found it out by this time aud signaled for belp. The reason I believe they think they're all safe is that so many Indians bang around us out here." Ten minutes later a dramatic scene occurred in that shabby little office, one that Frayne has not yet ceased to tell of and will long remember. Kurtz, the operator, was clicking away at his instrument as the doctor entered. "I've got Laramie, sir, now," he answered in response; to the first questiem asked him, "and he says Buffalo knows nothing yet. The firlt news ought to come through the-, stage JtaMon near Allison's ranch Colonel Fen ton was over there last night, tat nothing has been heard this morning. The operator is there now." If Colonel Fenton desireei to talk, let Colonel Fenton come to the counci' lodge at tbe 1 illape, but leave his soldie'rs behind. Big Road's old mem had seen visions and had heard warnings, his me-dicine chiefs had bex-n signaled by the Great Spirit, bis young men were exciteei and alarmed, bis women were weeping and gathering tbe;ir children to their knees. If the whitccbief meant peace and friendship, let him show it by coming to his leidge with gifts in his hands insteael of guns. He (the white chief) was rich, and bis horses and his yeiung me n were fat and strong. Big Road was poor .and bis people were hungry and cold, his ponies dying. Fenton indeed would have gone with only his adjutant and interpreter anel a single orderly but tor the warning of a Brule girl who had le-ft her people a few years before to follow a soldier lovi.r and bad made her home among the whites, a patient, sorrowing woman, ever since his untimely death. The Amorys had pro\ ide;d for lier in every way, for the soldier was eine of the cap tain's troop, and she had grown dee?ply attached to them, even though now occasionally visiting her kindred. "Captain, did you bear what Captain Amory said this evening?" asked the youngster as be edged in cleieer to the elder's side, "that Ormsby never came out here that we didn't have a shindy with the Sioux?" Then came 15 minutes' trot, winding snakelike and in long extended oolumn of twos among the stunted trees, and then Farwell ordered " Walk;" for more than once a dark form loomed up in their path, and Bremmer wheeled his horse about and rode by the captain's side, eagerly explaining in low tone. Will caught the words; "Right ahead. You can hear them distinctly, sir," and for the life of him Will exmld not quite control the flutter of liis heart. "Halt! Dismount and wait here!" were the next orders, almost wlyspered, and again Farwell pushed out into the front, and again the column swfing out of saddle, watched and waited, and presently the men began to stamp about in tho snow and thrash their stiffening fingers. he refolded the papers. "Pitch in now and finish up tbe business, with my blessing. Bat," be continned, turning to tbe swarthy guide, "how far is it over to the Allison ranch? I think I'll sleep there." And no further words were needed to tell the little group that their colonel had bfen removed from command just on the eve of consummation of his plans, and he was the only man of the lot who didn't look as though all heart had been taken out of bim as the immediate result. And just then came a grunt of disgust from La Bemtes. The colonel at his side said "H—1!" and an excitable trooper called out, "Look there! What's that?" for ejver at the northwest all on a sudden, a brilliant column of flame had burst through the blackness of the night and sent a broael glare streaming over the snow clad surface of the rolling prairie. "Yes, but poor Jack is out of the danoe this time and can't be with us as he was before. " "I don't understand," said Martin, having some vague theory that tho illness of Miss Farrar was at the bottom of Ormsby'a inability to take part in the promised chase. "I didn't suppose anything could keep him from taking a hand in soldier scrvice." rushed the slim and extended skirmisi line, anel Will Farrar, springing iron, the shelter of a little cedar, was struct full in the lrC ast by a muscular shoulder and kn'icked backward intu the snow. He struggled to his feet, groping for his revolver, just in time to meet tbC elash of half a dozen racing braves, all yelling like fiends. Something crasheei upon his skull and struck a millien sparks or stars, and everything whirled out of sight and sound and sense as the young officer went down, face foremost, into the drifts. "Wire to him then. Urge him to find out whether there was a fight in the hills, whether Colonel Fenton is still at Allison's, and get any authentic news he can and send it here at once." "They're on to us, by the eternal I" criesd the adjutant who loved the Jacksonian form of expletive. "ListeDn!" But no one listened more than an instant. Even through the muffling coverlet of snow tbe rumble and rush of a hundred pony hoofs, like low, distant thunder, told of the instant flight of Big Road's braves in answer to the signal. Wayne was ablaze in a sexxind. "Well, that s just it Those- fellows in the Seventh are as punctilious on a point of duty as any man we know in tbe army. Ormsby promise*! to bo back with his company feir sorno review or ceremony within this woek. He's geit to go. They've tele-graphed to remind bim, and he has just, time, barring accident, to make the trip." "D—n that fellow Thorpel It's his doing," sweire tbe adjutant between bis se-t tee-th. "He has never forgiven us feir spoiling his scheme to clean out the whole banel." And even as Kurtz began cliokjng his message there was some sadden check, an eager light shot into his face, an expression of keen, intense interest. He let go his key and sat listening to the quick beating of the. tiny hammer of the instrument, then seized a pencil and began to write just as a faltering step was heard on the creaking woodwork of the piazza. The door burst open, and in, with wild eyes and disheveled hair, a heavy cloak thrown about her, but without overshoes, without gloves, all oblivious to the bitter cold, Marjorie Farrar rushed in upon them. "Don't waste time swearing," said Fenton grimly. "I'll take the job off your bands. They're heading for Elk Springs, Wayne, and I've sent Farwell with two troops around to the left to find their way to the bluffs and get there first. Everything dope-nds on that" "Are we close to 'em now, Masther Will?" asked old Terry, unrebuked. "Close up on the heael of column," he shouted to tho troop leaders. "Come on, now, men, for all you're worth. Thero isn't a seconel to spare." "Right ahead, they say, corporal. But tins, remember, is only me women and children, with a few of tho old men." CHAPTER XV CHAPTER XIV. "The Buttle of the Ghosts," so  Road's peoplo called it * long months after, fonght lato at night and far up the slopes of the £fk range, was reported at Fort Frayne before the rising of another sun. The mysterious system ol signaling which enabled the Indians of the reservations in Nebraska to know the details of tbe Custer massacre before they could be wired from Bismarck was hero in use again, and stragglers from the band far back at Trooper creek, and even the cowboys and ranchmen carousing about Bunko Jim's in honor of tbe triumph of their plans, knew all about Farwell's overtaking the village, of Farrar's desperate stand and Wayne's long gallop to their support before tbe first tidings were whispered within the silent walls across the stream or even guessed at by the grim old soldier rousing from bis sleep barely ten miles from the seat of action. The first news to reach the g;irr'«oii came from Jimtown and was ! d to acorn by members of the gmu. lie next words went fearfully along among the kitchens of Officers' row and speedily reached the ears of the anxious wives and children of Ifce soldiers in the field, and still the surgeon left in charge at Frayne refused to believe the rumors and hastened to for- Tho Twelfth spent its New Year'R day hot on the Indian trail. Intel the foothills it wouud, tortuous and full eif peril, for from eve-ry projecting point, from rock to rock and crest to crest tbe warrior rear guard poured their fire on tho advancing line. Charges were fruitless. The nimble ponies of the Indians bore their ride rs swiftly out of harm's way, and only among the charging force did casualties occur. Still, Fenton had hung like- a bulldog to bis task, hoping before nightfall to catch up with the main body and the moving village, then to hem it in. Nume-rically he was little better off than tho Indians, as 50 Indians can surround 500 troeipers much more- effectively tliau 500 troopers can surround 50 mounted warriors. Through Bat and others he had vainly striven to communicate with Big Rooel, to assure him no harm would be done; that all that was nece-Rsary was for him to return with his peetple uneler escort of the regiment to the reservation. Up to C1 p m. not a shot had bee n fired by the Twelfth, wen in response to a sometimes galling fusillaelc from the Indians. By that time se veral men hael be-e-n unhorsed anel two or three* wounded, and tl*- thing was getting exaspe-ratiiig; yet, was it worth keeping up, for Bat and "Ah, it's your father's son ye are, sorr—God rest, bis soul! If it was daytime, ye could almeist see from here the breaks of the Mini Pusa, where we struck these Indians three years ago this cruel winter."- But even Fenton hardly realized how very mue-b depended. It was now about 7 o'cleick, and ever since the early dawn the cavalry had been pressing steadily at the he-els of tbe Inelian rear guard, never firing, never responding to tho challenge of shot or snout from the scampe-ring warrieirs before them. Again and again had Bat and hiB half bree-d cousin. La Bonte-, striven to get Big Road to halt and parley; but though the signals were fully understand, old Road was mad with the mingled rage of fight aud whisky and believed himself tbe leader of an outbreak that should rival t hat of 1870 and place him, as a battle chief, heael of an army of warriors that should overrun the uorthwest. Anxious euily to the women and children safely in anTiug the- fastnesses of tbe hills, he contented himself therefore through the livelong day with holding the) troops at long arm's length, opening lively tire when the-y sought to push ahead. It was glorious fun for him and his. Well they knew that so far at le-ast the soldiers were forbidden to attack. With the coming of another day Big Road pliume-d to havo his village far in among the- clefts and canyons of me' range, wnere a tew resoiuto warriors wulel elefe-nd the pass against an advane-e, while he and his braves, reenforced by eager recruits from the youii(4 i jen of other bands at the reservation, could fall upon tho flanks and rear of Fentou's force and fritter it away, as Red Cloud had massacred Fetterman's men long years before at old FeDrt Kearny. Anel as the amazed and wearied horses gave answer to the spur and broke inteD lumbe-ring gallop far over at tho west the rocks be-gan to ring to the cracklo of muske-try. Farwell and tho Sioux had clinche-d on the bluffs to tho south of the springs and were fighting in tho dark for the right of w ay. It was at luncheon, talking to his wife, th;.t Amory told of Colonel Fen- :on's purpose! of riding ove-r to the village that very afternoon, and tho story was repe-ated in the kite:hcn, where it reached the ears of the Indian girl. In an inatant she bad darted out of the heiuse and gone to the colonel's, where she frightened Lucretia out of her«Dvon se-uses with the first words she uttered: "They kill the colonel! He no go!" Luckily, Wayne was at haml to soothe, support and explain. Other officers werewnt for, and. de-spite Fentou's pexjhpoobing, so strong were their arguments that at 2 o'clex k a messenger was dispatched to Big Retad's bailiwick to tell him the ooleinel had heard that which mauc bim say to the Indian chief thai now tho only way in which he would meet bim would be; at the adjutant 1 office, as originally proposed, or else alone and unarmed midway be twe-e-i the fort and the village, no soldiers 01 warrieirs Unrig allowed to approacl within 200 yards, unless, indeed, Bit Roael himself should propose; an adju tant for each. If this was satisfactory, let the time lie se-t for 8 o'clock ane: Fenton would be there. "I know," said Will briefly, "and if—if it comes to fighting here, Rorke, remember father's lastiorder. It maybe harder than ever to tell buck from squaw in so dim a light, but I want the men to heed it." "Tell me instantly," she began, but the c jctor, an inspiration seizing him as ho read the operator's face, turned with uplifted hand, with reassuring smile as Helen opened her arms to receive her friend. There was a moment more of breathless, hai rowing suspense, of swift clicking at the table, of swift skimming pencil, and then Kurtz sprang to his feet and placed in Mrs. Farrar's trembling hand the yellow brown sheet With eyes that seemed starting from their sockets, she read. Then, with one glad cry, "Thank God! Oh, thank God!" threw herself on Helen's breast. The doctor seized the fluttering paper ■re it it reached the floor and read aloud: Tern miles away, at Allison's ranch, wearied with the sleepless toil of 24 hours, too weary to be kept awake even by tho exaspe-rating sense of his wrongs, the colonel was just rolling into his blankets feir a much needed rest before setting forth with the rising sun on his homeward roael. Fifty miles away over tho white e-xpanso of prairie, uneler the cold and glittering skies, Marjorie Farrar sat' by the beelside of her beloved daughter, praying ceaselessly for the safety of an e-ejuully beloved son now riding for the first time in his bravo young lifo to prove his worthiness to bear the fathe r's name in headlong fight with a savage and skillful foe. "They will, sorr, as they would if tho captain himself was at their head, and, Musther Will, for the love of hiven, whereve-r ye have to go thifi night tet me Do wan 01 tnim tnat go wiu ye If ye only take wan," and there was a break in the old fellow's voice as he began his plea. And that week was one of woe to poor Jack Ormsliy. He haunted the neighborhood of tbe Farrars; ho hung about the gateway, importuning tho doctor, the colonel, Kitty, Will, anybody, for tidings of the girl be loved. His fine:, alert, intelligent face was cloudexl with the dread and sorrow that overcame) him. He oould not see Mrs. Farrar—she rarely moved from her stricken daughter's sides—but twice he saw aud talked with Helen, aud once, with her, walked out to visit the now made grave. All that week the shadows cast by the glare erf the guardhouse flames seemed to wrap Fort Frayne: in gloom, aud people gazed upon the black ruins only with a shudder."Hush, Rorke. We'll see to that," said Farrar. "Here comes the captain back." Anel Farwell cume with speed. "Mr. Farrar," he said, an unmistakable tremor in his tone, "there's not a moment to be lost. They are passing through tho canyon now. We can hear them plainly, but they have out along the bluff. Two bucks rode by not a moment ago, and Bear says the whole outfit is pushing feir the race truck. I'vo got to bead them off farther ud the gulch. Be ar says we can get down in single file by an old game trail there, anel I wish you to dismount right here, line this slope with your men, send at least a dozen down into the ravine anel stand off Big Road and his fellows while we corral that whole village and start it for home. They e.an't tell how My congratulations 011 Will's gallant bearing in Ills maiden fight. He merits the name he bears. Expect us home tomorrow night, very hungry But that was only a part of the story. Oeohoe Fknton. Anel if ever u young fellow, wearer of the army blue, realize*! to the full extent the heipes anel faith and feinelness centered in him this night of nights, it was Will Farrar. Barely arrive*d at man's v*4—' "ut a vear out of the cadet ceiatee, with bis mother, his sister, bis sweetheart, all there at the old fort so long associated with his fatlieir's name, with that name to maintain, and not only that, but with Malcolm Le)ale's old trexip as one man leioking up to him us their leader, yet ejompetent, down to the very last man, to noto the faintest flaw should he fail them, the junior subaltern of tho Twelfth, the "plebe" lieutenant, as his elelcrs laughingly spoko of him, feiunel hiwself, as though some spe-cial provide nce liad swept from his path every posaible barrier tei danger and distinction, lifteel suddenly to a commanel that se-ldom falls to army subalterns today even within a dozen years anel bidde 11 he-re and now to win his spurs for tlio honor eif tho old troeip, the honor of tho Twelfth, the honeDr of the name bis father made famous and that he must maintain or elie in trying to. All this, ami God alone knows how much metre besides, we-nt thrilling through his very roul as, on Farwell's left and in utter silence, he rode swiftly onward at tho head of the column. Leaving to his own first lieutenant tho command of the grays, Captain Farwell had told him to follow close in the tragjgs of Farrar's men and, with only orieof tljo Indian company to aid and no other guide of any kind but his sense's anel the stars, hael plaex?d himself in tho lead anel pushed forth into tho night What Leale said was true enough. The Indians would not fight in the dark long range, bat that did not prevent their taking advantage of tho lark for a sudden rush that would enibJe them to hurst through what they only be a thin and line. It was easier to do as the well bid that any one should speak of them where they oonlri reach the earn of the household of Farrar, for the croakers told of fell disaster and of the death of the last soldier of thaf honored name. other **out« declared the fleeing village fo be less than three miles ahead now, anel, with .that overhauled, the warriors could be: breinght to bay well south of the mountains, and to the accomplishment of this, without sacrificing men or horses to any great extent, Fenton was bending eve-ry cne-rgy when overtaken by the first courier from Frayne. well knew could widely dispersed it in the dark, The half breed messenger came bacl in half an hour. "Big Reiud would nenC his answer by a squaw," and that wai Big Reiud's way of saying that the white chie f was au old woman. Utte rly for getful now e»f the service Fenton bar: rendesreel his people and him, duped by tbe visions eif his medicine men and fuddled with the liqueir lavished em bin by the- cowbeiys. Big Road was hot foi war. But bad news travels fast, and the direful tidings reached Lurretm Fenton's ears while Kitty still slept the sleep of the young, the innocent and unsuspicious, and what Lucretia knew she could never conceal. The morning gun had failed to wake Will's dainty ladylove, tho trumpets rang no reveille, for thenD was no garrison to rouse, and ouly one trumpeter remained to sound the calls, but people were up and astii and hurrying from house to house long before the usual hour, and Marjorie Farrar, watching by the bedside of her stricken daughter, heard with straining ears tho excited tones of the servants at the back doors and but for Helen Daunton's vigilance woald herself have gone to ascertain the cause. Stipulating that her friend should not go down stairs, Helen had hastened forth, finding their own kitchen deserted, and, as the colonel's house was but a few rods away and Lucretia was there at the gate in vehement recitative with Mrs. Amory and certain of the younger belles of the garrison as listeners, Helen hastened thither, only to see tho party scatter at her approach. This in it-self was ouiiueus, but it was no time for hesitation. Some of the party were evidently in tears. The old chaplain was rapidly approaching from his quarters oil tho westward side; the doctor, fieldglass in hand, was studying the snowy expanse to the north from the edge of the bluff. With him stood the sergeant of the guard, and another noncommissioned officer was hastening toward him up the sentry post of Ka 6. It was to them she appealed, and in their fact's she read the first intimation of ill news. The Indians, ever superstitious, had professed to boo tbe hand of the Great Spirit in tbe clouds, pointing remorselessly at the spot aud warning them of farther wrath to oome as a couseque-nexof the uuavenged murder at a chieftain's son. Cowboys and hustlers, angered against tbe garrison because it bad interpow-d between them and their purpose-d punishment of Big Road's band, saw here u e,apital opportunity of embroiling tbe red men with their white defende-rs. By dozens, in shivering silence, wrapped in their blankets and seatexl on their scraggy ponies, tbe warriors bad looked on at tbe sole-inn little cerememy, and within another day by scores tho cowboys and settlers wem spreading tbe story tbut the white chief had buriexl Tom Graieie with all the honeirs of war, de-spite his esrimes and misdemeanors, simply because he had killed the son of au Inelian chie f—the sou of the chief wheise people killed the colonel of the Twelfth when ho attacked tbo fleeing village on tbe Mini Pusa three long years before. It was the white seildiers* way of taunting the red man. It was proof of his real feeling toward tbe Indian. tea T- \l jg* t #T D Every thing dejDcnded on who shou Id get there firm, and, as the Sioux said of Custer's column the bloody day on the Little Horn, "the soldiers were tired." M ml 1 ■-fi C• A Wtr Wayne had marked the dispatches in the order in wliieh they should be read, but the only ones which much concerned him now were from department headquarters. A new king who knew not Joseph, a new general with whom Fenton had never chanced to serve, was there in command, and he, coming a comparative stranger to the community, knew little of the merit* of the politicians by whom he was ycdily besieged. Tbey were present in force, armed with letters and dispatches by the score from so called prominent citizens resident along the Platte, and Fenton was practically unrepresented. It was in no spirit of unkindness, but rather that Fenton might have opportunity to come thither and confront ami confound, if he could, his accusers, that the general had issued the first order, which was that Fenton should "immediately escort Big Koad and his people back to the agency and then report to these headquarters for consultation." That dispatch, if delivered, would have ruined all the plans of the plainsmen, and the wires were clipped the moment warning came, and itiu'vorgot beyond theold ■ No Fquaw came, no conference took place. DaikncKs was fvcttling down up on the post when at lust the westward sentries reported a small party of In dians riding out from the village toward Fort Frayne. The trumpeter* were just, scattering after sounding re treat when tlio officer of the day con- Extending southward from the peaks of the Big Horn was a wild range of irregular heights, covered iu places with a thick growth of hardy young spruce and cedars and scrub oak, slashed and severed here and there by deep and tortuous canyons with precipitous sides. Somewhere iu among those hills was a big amphitheater known as the Indian race course, approachable in winter at least only through the crooked rift or pass known for short as Elk gulch. In just such another natural fastness and only a few miles away to the northeast had the Cheyenncs made their famous stand against five times their weight ill fightiug men the bitter winter of 1876, a battle the cavalry long had cause to rcmemlier, and now, with but a handful of troops as compared with the force led in by MncKenzie, Wayne had right before him a similar problem to tackle. The only points in his l'avor were that Big Road's braves were as few as his own and that FC nton h:.d already pent a force to race the Indians to their refuge.61 /D' Wt if! C \p*ivl ••j' ' !C "V-  5? f the yellow brvum sheet. knew, than in broad daylight, and so, learning from their vigilant scouts abont where Farrar's men were deployed, they rode forward in noiseless array until close upon them; then' at given signal and with full understanding that no one was to stop for anything they dashed forward over the snow at headlong spw d. Placed in Mis. Farrar'v tninbling hand w I# D % lie strugyUtjL to hit) her, (/ropiug for his a miner The few shots fired whizzed by their ears without checking them in the least, though two Sioux saddles, by great good luck, were emptied, and when the pony of Clio low bonding wairior collided with I-arrar and keeled him over others lollowiug behind raced through just as hC* was scrambling to his feet, and C iio of the riders had struck wildly with his warelub at the dark object and downed it again. The whole band was out of sight in -loss time than it takes to till it. Tiie crash and sputter of hoofs could be heard as they thundered away and then the loud crackling of rifle and revolver as tlio band reached the descent to the canyon further to the west and found Farwell's led horses on the bluff. w you are in number, and Fenton will * close at their het Its. Between you rlicy ought to be forced to the north •side while I'm driving the village out to the South. You understand, do you i;ot? It's a fight in the dark, and they're nfraid of it, anyhow. You've got a splendid troop, lad, and they won't fail yi u. Don't he ashamed to ask your old St i m ants for advice. You understand tally r' "Lookout for yourself, Big Road!" said these astute, frontier statesmen. ' 'Chief Fenton and his soldiers have only lured you here within range of their walls that they may the more readily swoop upon you some bitter morning and pot you and your warriors, your women and children to tho sword." In the intense cold of tho three days that succeeded the blizzard, there was no interchange of visits, so to speak, between the fort and tho Indian viliagE, but the emissaries of Ben Thorpe had been busily at work. Big Road aud his warriors had been bidden to attend t he stately funeral of their kinsman and friend, Crow Knife, on the morning after Christmas, and had docked to the scene and lifted up their monmful chant when tho volleys flashed and the crowd of attendant soldiers bowed their heads in mingled homage and sorrow. That was as it should be, bat what did it mean that his slayer "Swing well out to tho west," were Feuton's last orders. "Keep dark, as you know how. Head for the hills as soon as you're sure you're far beyond hearing and try to strike those; blulls a couple of miles at least back of the mouth of the canyon. You ought to get there ahead of the village. Halt it with a few men down in thj gorge, but bold your main body on the bluffs. We'll keep Bit? Uoad lDusy. " snDstation ou the Larami" until aftf r the repairs were made, hut other dispateh-08 were wired from lielow the breaks, alleging first that, so fur from Feu ton's doing as ordered, he vm apparf ntly bent on driving Big Itoad'n people up the river or into the open field, then that he had done so, juid that the In* dianH were now raiding the scattered ranches and driving the cattle into the foothills, while the settlers were fleeing in terror. Fenton's dispatches, wired before Big Road's escapade, had, of course, been received, but his report of the situation was at utter variance with that from the agency and those from the Thorpe party. (irons mismanagement find general incompetency were the principal allegations against Fenton, though the astute "hustlers" did not At, 8 o'clock the darkness wan intenfte There wai cD mocn to light Ib«*ir way, and their 011)7 guide was the drop trni1 in the snowy surface 1« ft by ijn retreat iDg Indians. Tb darkness was no deep er than th« p!f.om in eve.y heart, foi Fenton was gone, a Wronged and calumniated uian, and they, lii.s loyal soldiers, obedient to a higher duty Still, wert forced to push on and tinish his work without, him. For an hour only at snail's pace had they followed the trail. Bat and his associates had had many a narrow escape. Lieutenant Martin, commanding the advance, had had his horse shot undt r him. Sergeant Roe had a bullet through his coat, and Corporal Werrict, riding eagerly in the lead, got •wither through tho shoulder. Luckilv "Tiicy Mil the colonel! lie no qo!" veyed the news to Fenton, and in two minutes an officer, with a dozen mon, trotted out from the stables of Troop K and 400 yards beyond the sentry posts signaled to the advancing war riors, "Halt!" "I do," said SVill stoutly, though his young heart was hammering in bis breast. "We'll do our best, sir. Form fours, sergeant, and link—lively," he The doctor turned as though he had been expecting her and hold forth his hand. "Iam glad you are lure, "ho said, "for I have reason to disbelieve the news that has been frittering in over since dawn, but I wish it kept from Mrs. Farrar as long as possible." Luckily the stars were brilliant in the wintry sky and the constellations out in all their glory. The pole star glowed high aloft and held them to their course. Out in the advance, lashing his horse with Indian whip to keep him to hn speed, rode Brave Bear, a corporal of the Ogalalla Compauy, side by side with Sergeant Bremmer. rt'henevcr the drifts were deep in the ravines, one of them would halt and warn :he column to swerve to the ripht or leit. Only a Bur/1 twa ImIiiiu) tha Ljl'ii nffiforft i added, then graspi d the captain's hand C lie instant before the latter turned away. Silently, quickly the men linked horses, and, leaving Nix 4 of each set in saddle, came" running up to the front, onslinging carbines 011 tho way. Farwell and his fellows went trotting off among the clumps of pine as the last man fell in on the 1C ft. Then, quickly dividing off a down troopers fryrn that flunk, Will placed tho first There were ten in the party and Big Road was not among them. The offi cers, returning fiom stables and retreat roll call, had gathered about the colonel on the wesward bluff and fieldglasses were brought to bear on the opposing parties, now only dimly visible in the gloaming. Over at the barracks the niwi were still gathered about their re- it was then, as the sergeants were raising Will, stunned and bleeding, to his feet that they realized not an instant must be lost in hastening to Farwell's aid, and, while one bathed with snow the aching, bewildered head and anotlier gave the young officer water from Helen's face had turned white as the snow. He saw it and drew her arm within his own. "Stragglers from Big Road's band say—those that were left at Trooper crock, at least—that there was a fight last night. Part of the village was captured and part of the band Goatlauedaa P*f. 1.