Pittston Gazette

              PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, NOVEHBER 12, 1897. Kfitablisln'd I SCI ( %Oi«. XLVIIINo. ) \ Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. ) 91.00 per Year I in Advance* w author or «sS®feD"F0RT praynE." r 5 - COPTH'OMT. 1897. BY F. TENNYSON NCtUT. waking up to the duties ot tho day. j Down the valley, still farther to the east, the smoke was curling from tho tiny fires among the Indian tepees, and scores of ponies were grazing ont along the slopes, watched by little urchius in picturesque bnt dirty tatters. All was very still and peaceful. Even the hulking squaws and old men loafing about the agency storehouses were silent and patiently waiting for the coming of the jlerk with his keys of office. should say, though I've seen nobody. Wait a tew minutes. He's down in a swale now, whoever it is." very way ho wanted to ro. An hour arter, with his horse hidden behind him in a shallow ravine, Fred Waller was lying prone upon the ground and peering over a ridge into the low, level wastes stretching far to the southeast, bordering tho Platte to the very boiizou. What tnoat attracted bis gr.ze was a little dnst cloud, miles away down stream, into which tiny black dots were moving, long, shallow swale, wero twoscore Indian warriors in all their barbaric finery, excitedly watching the coming of other son is a man who has Peen and Heard a great deal in tho coursn of his army life, and who has the enviable faculty of knowing everything that is going on around bim without appearing to know anything at all. It had been his duty, a day or two previous, to expel from the limits of tho reservation a rascally pack of gamblers, a species of two legged prairie wolf that in the rough old days on the frontier followed every movement of the army paymasters and lured and trapped the soldiers until every cent of their money was gono. In point of number the gamblers were strong enough to take care of themselves in case of Indian attack, yet rarely did they venture far from the protection of the nearest troops. Driven ont of post and forbidden to return, they had simply camped with their whole "outfit" at the lower edge of the military reservation, where the laws of the state of Nebraska and not the orders of Uncle Sam took precedence. And here they "sot up shop" again and had a game goiug in full blast this very sunshiny Sunday morning, and the provost sergeant knew all about it. He also knew by 10 o'clock that Sergeant Dawson and Private Patsy Donovan of Charlton's troop, with some adventurous spirits from the garrison, were down there "bucking their luck" against the tricks of these skilled practitioners, and it was not hard to predict what the result would be. then promisor! him that his wish should be respected. It was a sinjjnlar wish— a strange thin# for a father to ask. blame him at first for letting the trnmjD- eter get away with his horse, but no man could have been more vigilant than he was. "The captain had never i blamed him," he was sure from the captain's manner when be spoke fo him about it at Red Clond, and Dawson looked confidently now. at his commander, bat that gentleman never ! changed a muscle of his face. Everybody terns to look and listen. Those wero days when such a thing a* a single horseman following in pursuit had a meaning that is lacking now. victims. With a moan of anguish, Fred Waller marked, a mile beyond anil rapidly approaching them, a four mule ambulance with a single soldier cantering along behind. Old Sergeant Waller had insisted that, his boy should be brought to trial before the court martial then in session Three, four miuutes they wait in silence. Then the colonel suddenly ex- and convicted or acquitted of the double charge of theft and desertion that bad been lodged against him. In vain Charlton represented to him that it was cot necessary Nobody believed the stories now The veteran was firm and positive in the stand he made. claims "Ob, my God, my God  aloud. "I am too late after all!" "I have him—a mere dot yet!" Presently he lowers bis glasses and dusts the lenses with his handkerchief. His face is graver. -JSI Uif But the wagon halted on the distant hills. The Indians, absorbed in their catlike watch, were eagerly'gesticulating and excitedly pointing to some object far beyond. Several of their numbers lashed their ponies into a tearing gallop and sped away in wide circuit to the southward, keeping the bloffs between them and tho wagon. Others followed part of the distance. He knew the maneuver well. Already they were planning the surround. In helpless agony he watched, for he was powerless to aid—powerless even to warn. He seized his ready carbine, loosened the cartridges in his belt and looked eagerly to Jim's girths. Then once again he faced the southeast and saw, far away across the waves of prairie, a little puff of dust aud a little black dot —a rider—coming full tilt in the wake of the wagon. As was customary, the judge advocate inquired if the prisoner bad anjr questions to ask, and the spectators were amazed when be calmly answered, *'No." Big beads of sweat were trickling down the sergeant's face by this time, but he could not control the look of wonderment that flashed for one instant into his eyes at this refusal of a valued privilege.. One or two young braves rode by the camp, shrouded in their dark blue blankets and apparently careless of any 3hange in the condition of affairs, yet never failing to note that there were 50 horses and soldiers ready for duty there -V: "Everywhere in this department, sir, my boy'8 name has been held np to 3hanie as a thief and a deserter. There is only one way to clear hiui. Let him stand trial and prove bis innocence, and let us fix the gnilt where it belongs." And Waller was right. "Whoever that is, he is riding for all be is worth," he says. "I half believe he wants to catch us." (I . Another long look, utter silenoe in the party. A mule in the wheel team gives an impatient shake of his entire system, and chains, tugs and swing liars all rattle noisily. oasins, were doubtless those of some of Blunt's party. Curiosity had prompted some timekilling trooper to stroll ont here and take a look ut'The place. The sunshine streaming in at the open doorway made a brilliant oblong square upon the rarthen floor and lighted np the grimy interior. The steps cnt down to the dark "dugout" were crumbling away, and it was impossible to see more (ban a few feet into the passage leading to the underground fortress, where as a I final resort iu an Indian siege*the little garrison could take refuge. A lantern or a oandle would show the way, but Charlton had neither. Taking ont his match case, however, he bent down, struck a light and peered in. Somebody had done the same thiug within the last day or two, for there were the stub ends of two matches just like his in the dust at the bottom of the steps, and there, too—yes, be lighted another match and in oamp. CHAPTER IX. LURKING FOtS. Their breakfast finished, Charlton said that he must go at onoe to the office of the post commander over in tho garrison, and that be might bo detained some hours. "It will be well to keep the men here, Blnnt, for we may be ueeded any moment." Church was over. The bugler bad just sounded mess call, und the soldiers in their neat "undress" onilorm wire just going in to dinner, when a man on a "cow pony"-—one of those wiry, active little steeds so mnch in use around the cattle herd—came full speed into the garrison and threw himself from the saddle ttt Major Edwards' gate. It was the telegraph operator at the railway station. In his hanjs wore two .brown envelopes, and Major fidwarta, as he stepped forward to meet him, saw in bis face the telltale look of a bearer of bad news. "Has the court any questions?" asked the judge advocate, and to the stttl greater wonderment of spectators and witness no member of the conrt appeared to care to inquire further. When Sergeant Dawson left the courtroom and walked away toward the barracks, he knew that all eyes were upon him, and just as soon as he oould throw aside his saber, helmet and full dress he lost no time in getting to the trader's store and swallowing half a tumbler of raw whisky. He thought the ordeal over and that he was free. It was with a sensation of something like premonition that as he came forth he saw at the barracks the orderly of the court martial, who had been sent to warn him that be would be called by the defense at 2 o'clock. there, you fool I" growls the driver augrily, and with a threatening sweep of his long whiplash. Then the silence becomes intense again, and every man strains his eyes over the prairie slopes shimmering in the heat of the July sun. Suddenly an exclamation bursts from two or three pairs of bearded lips. Far away, but in plain sight in that rare atmosphere, a speck of a horseman darts into view over a distant ridge, sweeiDs down the slope at fall gallop and plunges out of eight again in a low dip of the rolling surface. Who that was in tho courtroom that hot August morning, when the south wind blow the dnst cloud into the post and burned the very skin from the bronzed faces around the whitewashed wall, will ever forget the closing incidents of that trial? At the long wooden table sat.|ho nine officers who composed the court, "with their gray haired president at the head, all dressed in their full uniforms, all grave and silent. At the lower end of the table was the keen, shrewd face of the young judge advocate who conducted the entire proceedings. On one side of him, quiet, self possessed and patient, sat little Fred, neat aud trim as a new pin in his faultless fa- And yet as he was riding away with bis orderly Charlton stopped to listen to what Sergeant Graham bad to say. "Sergeant Dawson and Private Donovan wanted particularly to go over to the post for a few hours this morning, and so did some of the others, bnt I told them that the captain's orders were we *honld all stay at camp; we were almost sure to be wanted. Tbey were all satisfied, sir, but Dawson and Donovan, who made quite a point of it, and I said I would carry tbv ir request to the captain." And to Blunt's surprise, as well as that of Sergeant Graham, the captain ooolly nodded. A little duxt cloud, miles away down stream. "Whocan it be?" hewondered. "Can hn possibly know of this ambuscade?" with other little dots senrrying abont at some distance from the main cluster. No need to tell him they were Indians. All too late. A sudden flashing signal from tbe leader, and all at an instant, witb trailing feathers, with warory and the thunder of many hoofs, the painted band has whirled across the ridge in front and is down in tbe dip beyond. Every Indian has vanished from his view and whirled into sight of the victims on the crest bevond. "I've no idea whose horse that is. major. There wero a half dozen of 'em in front of a saloon there in town, aud I jumped on the first I saw. These have just come—one from Laramie, one from Omaha. I dropped everything at the office to fetch them to you." "No man rides like that- unless there is raisoh ;f abroad," mutters Cross as he swings out of the wagon to the ground. "Give me my rifle, Murray." It was some minutes before he conld determine whicb way they were really going, bat when be finally saw that they were bonnd down the valley the boy's heart beat high with hope. He conld venture down to the Platte as soon as they had passed entirely out of sight and find some place to cross well to the west of them. An hour he waited, and still they were in view. Then they seemed to disappear in a little clump of timber. Ho waited 15 to 30 minutes, and tbey were Rtill there. "Shall I take a file of the guard and fetch them back, sir?" he asked the colonel commanding, and that gentleman glanced inquiringly at his cavalry Then, sudden as a thunderclap from summer sky, with wild, shrill clamor, with thunder of hoofs and sputter of rapid shots, with yell and tauut and hideous warcry, from the very ground itself, from behind every little ridge, □p from the ravines, down from the prairie buttes, hurling upon them in mad, raging race, there flashes into *ight of their startled eyes a horde of painted savages. 1 friend. CHAPTER XVL PRISON AND PEOMOTK Edwards tore open first one and then the other. The first read: 'Jlf "Very well. They've both been doing hard work of late. Tell them to beep tbeir ears open for 'boots and saddles;' otherwise they may stay until noon. After dinner perhaps I will give others a chance to tnrn." "How say you, captain?" Charlton reflected a moment and then replied: In an instant, too, Fred Waller is in raddle and spurring on to the ridge which they havo just left, and then once more he reins in where he can just peer over tbe crest. He notes witb a cheer of joy that the charge is checked —that the Indians have veered off and are now dashing in a great circle around the centrul point on the height beyond. He sees the wild stampede and tangle of the mules, the overthrow of the ambulance, the quick, cool, resolute reply of the attacked. He marks with a glow of mad delight, of reviving hope, that there is not a woman or child with the party. "No, coloneL I should say let them havo all tbe ropo they choose to take. I can get them when they are needed. You are sure about their whereabouts on Tuesday and Wednesday nights?" he asked, turning to the sergeant. That afternoon the oourtroom WM crowded when Sergeant Dawson retook bis seat and glanced for the first time at the prisonar before him. In front of the boy was a little table, on whioh was a number of slips of paper. One at these was quietly passed to the judge advocate, who took it. wheeled in his chair and read aloud: "Couriers in front of Captain Wallace report large war parties along the Platte and some across, raiding the Sidney road. Four teamsters killed, scalped and mutilated three miles south of river. Bodies found. Warn back everybody attempting to go that way." Fifteen minutes later Captain Charlton was in consultation with the post commander, and after guard mounting they returned to the colonel's house, where a tall infantry soldier, the provost sergeant, was awaiting him. Then it suddenly dawned upon him that the whole band were resting in the shade while their scouts searched the neighborhood. He was five or six miles from the river, and every inch of ground in front was open. He knew well that their eyes were keener than bis, and should he make a dash for it they would certainly see and give chase. What he oould not detect and did not dream of was that miles still farther away down tbe Platte another dust cloud was slowly advancing—Wallace's troop coming up stream—and their scouts were watch ing that "Perfectly, sir, and just what they lost and how much they owed the quartermaster's gang when they left." "The Sioux! The Sioux!" yells tbe driver as he leaps from his box. The second was from the office of the department commander himself: " What answer did you give Lieutenant Blunt when he asked if yon bad been outside the sentry line the night the prisoner disappeared?" "Indians in force south of Platte, on Sidney road. If Colonel Gaines and Captain Cross have started, send couriers at onoo to recall them." "Hang on to your mules!" shouts Cross. "Down with you, men! Fire slow. They'll veer when they get in closer. Now!" "Just see where they are at noon, then, and let me know." And the provost sergeant went his way, leaving the officers in consultation. CHAPTER XI. HEMMED IN BY SAVAGE FOES. Back at the cavalry camp there was jo little subdued chat and wonderment among the troopers. Lounging in the shade of the trees along the streum and puffing away at their pipes, playing 3ards, as soldiers will, and poking fun at one another in rough, good natured ways, the men wero yet full of the one absorbing theme—Fred Waller's most unaccountable disappearance and the loss of so much of their bard earned money. Bang! goes Cross' piece. Bang! bang! go tbe rifles of the nearest soldiers. Tbe mules plunge wildly and are tangled in an instant in the traces. Over goes the wagon with a crash. Bang! goes Gaines' big Springfield as he coolly spreads himself on the ground. An Indian pony stumbles and hurls his rider on tbe turf, and Cross gives an exultant cheer. Yet all tbe same he knows foil well that now it is life or death. The little party is hemmed in by a host of savage foes. At noon the soldier telegrapher came hurrying to the colonel and handed him a dispatch. "I told him that I had not, sir," «m the prompt reply. •The judge advocate posted the reply on his record sheet and wrote the answer below. Then came another slip. "What answer did you give the captain when asked if any man bad ridden* back wward the Niobrara the morning the tr«*)p left there for Red Cloud?" The major's face was dark with dismay."They have been gone nearly four hours," he exclaimed. "Even if I had swift riders ready, who could catch them in time?" "Thank God!" he cries aloud. "It isn't Mrs. Charlton!" He waves his hat with exaltation as be sees a pony stumbling in death upon tbe prairie and his rider limping painfully away. He knows now that they aro soldiers, holding their own for at a time, and that all depends on getting aid for them before nightfall. Far up the valley on tbe other side he had marked at noon a dust cloud sailing slowly toward him. It must be the sorrels or the grays hastening back to clear the Sidney rcrjd. Here is the thing to do—gallop back, recross tbe river, meet and guide them to the rescue. There is still timo to get them here before the sun goes down, if only the besieged can hold out that long. "I feared as much," said tbe old soldier as he handed the paper to Captain Charlton. "This means work for you at once Let us go to the office. There will be dispatches from Omaha presently. Isn't it strange that no one at Sidney should have heard of the Indians getting over the Platte?" respected. tiprne dress. A little behind the boy was bis captain, Charlton, and along the wall, at the end of the room, Colonel Uaines, with his arm (-till in a sling, and Captain Cross, with his piercing, restless eyes and "fighting face." On the other side of the judge advocate stood the chair in which witness after witness had taken his scat and given his testimony, and now at high noon it was empty, and the crowd of spectators, sitting in respectful silence around the room, craned their necks and gazed at the doorway in hushed yet eager curiosity to see the man whose name had just been passed to the orderly It was understood that the case for the prosecation depended mainly upon his evidence.He promised him that Ms wish should be "I've been a trooper all my life, sir," came sudden answer. "Give me a horse and carbine and let me go." There vxta the print of cavalry boots. studied it carefully—there was the print of cavalry boots going in and coming out again. WThoever wa« bis predecessor, he had more curio«i • than the captain. Charlton had seen ■ lirie "dugout" forts before and did not care to waste time now. .At last, after another hour of anxiety, be determined to slip away westward, go up tbe Rawhide a few miles until he could gain the shelter of some low lying ridges, cross the strD and. making a wide circuit, sweep around to the Platte. He might still reach it before dark and find a ford, or at least a plane to swim across. He could trust Big Jim for that. But even as he would have put this plan in execution, he saw to bis dismay a new move among the warriors. Four little dots came riding from the timber and pushing back up the valley. These were only the advance. In half an hour the whole band came jogging leisurely out of the shadows, and little dots farther east came streaking across the flats to join them. Fred saw that the whole war party was now retracing its steps and coming back up stream, and that now, if be waited, he might pursue his origiual intention of crossing at the shallowB, ten miles below tbe mouth of tbe Rawhide. And so patiently aud placidly he kept his ground. Big Jim contentedly filling himself witb buffalo grass tbe while, and not until tbe sun was low in tbe west did Fred realize their real intent Just as the scouts, far in advance of the main party, reached the winding banks of the Rawhide, they seemed to hold brief consultation. One of them plunged through to the western side; the other three turned and came straight toward tbe watching boy. The sergeant's throat seemed to clog a little, but be gulped down tbe obstruction. "I said no man went back, sir. " The major might have known 'twas Sergeant Waller. At 2 o'clock Charlton's troop was in saddle, with only three familiar faces misting from the lino. In the new excitement the men had ceased to speak of Trumpeter Fred. Wbat puzzled them now was the absence of Dawson and Donovan. A sergeant sent into the garrison to warn them that the troop was to march at once came back to say that he bad searched every stable and corraL The horses were nowhere about tbe post or the agency stores, and men on guard said that they bad seen the two troopers riding away down White river soon after 1 o'clock, and they had not come back. Aud when Graham reported them absent to Captain Charlton, as tbe latter in his familiar scouting costume rode out to take .command, the whole troop was amazed tiiat their leader seemed to treat it as a matter of no consequence whatever. He returned the sergeant's salute aud inquired: True to his word and arranging with the officers of the court martial to return in case his further testimony was required, Captain Charlton set forth at daybreak on Saturday, intending to push straight through to Bed Cloud as fast as mules could drag or horses bear him. To the Niobrara crossing the road was hard and smooth wbeq once they cleared the sandy wastes of the Platte bottom. He had a capital team, a light ambulance and a little squad of seasoned troopers to go with him as escort It was a drive of nearly 90 miles, but he proposed resting his animals an hour at the Niobrara, another hour at sunset, feeding and watering carefully each time, and so keeping on to the old agency until be reached his troop late at night "I would have bet any amount," said Corporal Wright, "that when the old man"—the captain is always the "old man" to his troops—' 'got back be would ride over Sergeant Dawson roughshod for letting Waller slip away on his guard, but I listened to him this morning, and he talked to him just like a Dutch uncle. I tell you, Dawson felt a heap better after it was over. Ho said the captain never blamed him at all." "What buildings, if any, were there near the spot where the troop waa in bivouac onJ,be Niobrara?" Dawson1 s face was losing its ruddy bae, but the beads of sweat were starting afresh. CHAPTER XIL MYSTERIOUS HOOF PRINTS. It was Saturday night that, from far up tbe Platte, the news came to Captain Wallace of tbe dash made by the Sioux for the Sidney road. For two days previous he had been hunting Indians up stream toward tbe Rawhide aud bad found a perfect network of pony tracks and bad bad some very distant glimpses of flitting warriors. His scouts had told him that the Sioux and Cheyennes were swarming over tbe country to tbe northwest of him, and that none had appeared to tbe east. It was his business, therefore, to move against them, and move be did, trusting that Forrest and the GrayB would be alert along tbe southern verge of the reservations, that no formidable parties oould slip southward in his absence. CHAPTER X. Returning to the open sunshine, he made the circuit of the house, and on the north side stopped and studied with an interest he had not felt before. A ■tout post was still standing on that side, and to the post a cavalry horse bad been tethered within two days aud stood there long enough to paw and trample the gravel all around it Charlton was cavalryman enough to read in every sign that the steed had been most unwillingly detained. In evident impatience be had twisted twice and again around that stubborn, bullet scarred stump, and the troop commander could almost see him, vigorously, tugging at bis "halter shank," and plunging about his hated but relentless jailer, and neighing loudly in hopes of calling back his departing friends. Charlton felt snre that as the troop rode away some one of the men bad remained here some little time. IN SUSPENSE. "An old empty log hut, sir. I didn't take much notice of it, sir." One more glance be takes at the stirring picture before him, longing to drive a shot at the nearest Indians, and as be gazes there comes staggering, laboring into sight from around a point of bluff beyond tbe beleaguered party a horse all foam and blood, who goes plunging to earth only a few yards away from the ambulance and rolls stiffening and quivering in his death agony, but the gray haired old rider has leaped safely to tbe grouud, and his carbine flashed its instant defiance at the yelling foe. Even at that distance there is no mistaking the well known form. Fred Waller's wondering eyes have recognized at once—his father! '' How far from the sentries was it?" "I don't just know, sir—800 or 800 yards perhaps." His lips were beginning to twitch and his eyes to wander nervously from face to face. Noon came. So did an orderly telling Mr. Blunt that the captain visbed to ten him over at the telegraph office and to order the horses fed at once. Fortyeight big portions of oats were poured from the sacks forthwith. Dawson and Donovan were not yet back. CHAPTER XV COURT MARTIAL. "How much money did you lose with your wallet that night?" "Over $60, sir—every cent I had." "What answer did you give Captain Charlton at Red Cloud when be asked vou if you had seen anything of it since that night?" "I told him no, sir." "With tftfose money were yon playing cards, then, below Red Cloud on the Sunday the troop marched away, leaving you behind?" First Sergeant Graham had sworn to the disappearance of tbe money at the Niobrara and the fact that at daybreak the trumpeter bad gone with his horse, arms and equ laments. He also told of his belief that he and tbe men who slept near him that night had been stupefied 'toy chloroform. Two other troopers told of the loss of their money at the same time Tbe ho*pital steward from Fort Robinson testified to Fred's coming to him and getting a little vial of chloroform on a forged request from Sergeant liraham. Corporal Watts had positive- Iv identified a $10 bill which was in the trumpeter's possession when he was searched, at his own request, when first accused of the crime, as one stolen from him at the Niobrara. He had had some experience, he said, and had made a record of the members, and this record in a little notebook was exhibited to the court. "Leave theirs out," said Sergeant Graham. "They'll be back presently. This means business again and no mistake. Where's the trouble now, I wonder?"No danger was to be apprehended until the party got beyond the Rawhide and not very mneh until they were across the Niobrara, bat Charlton and his half dozen troopers bad been over each inch of the ground time and again, and very little did tbey dread the Sioux. "Every horse fed aud watered?" "Yes, sir." Shall we look and see? Far to tb s south, far beyond the bold bluffs of the White river, far beyond the swift waters of the Niobrara—"L'Eau Qui Court" of the old French trapper—far across the swirling flood of the North Platte, and dotting the northward slopes, swarms of naked, brilliantly painted red warriors in their long, trailing war bonnets of eagles' feathers are darting about on nimble ponies or, crouching prone along the ridges, are eagerly watching a dust cloud coming northward ou the Sidney road. Behind them, between them and the Platte, are the weltering mutilated bodies of half a dozen herders and teamsters and the smoking ruins of their big freight wagons. Like the tiger's taste of blcod, the savage triumph in the death of their hapless foes has tempted them far beyond their accustomed limits. Knowing the cavalry to be scouting only north of the Platte, they have made a wide detour and swooped around to this danger haunted road, eagerly watching for the coming of other white men, who, like the last, should be ignorant of their presence and too few in number to cope with such a foe. But this was simply part nnd parrel of tb« Indian scheme. Having In rod him two days' inarch away from the Sidney crowing, these enterprising warriors kept him occupied, while their confederates, making a wide detour around Forrest, slipped across the Platte and swooped down upon the poor fellows with the freight wagons. Only one of their number managed to escape, and be, madly riding westward, came upon some herdsmen, who promptly joined him in his flight. They had seen the cavalry going up the north bank a day or two before, and they never drew rein uutii they found tbem. "Every man got two days' hard bread and bacon?" Now indeed he speeds away for help. Now indeed has Jim to run for more than life. Turning bis back upon the thrilling scene, the little trumpeter goes like a prairie gale, whirling back to the valley of the Platte. "Yes, sir." Dawson's face wasgbastly. He choked for a moment, then seemed to make a desperate effort to pull himself together. "It wasn't so, sir," he muttered; then After midday the little party had baited close beside the spot where Blunt's detachment had made their bivouac bo short a time before. Here were tbe ashes of their cook fires and the countless hoof prints of the horses. Here, too, was the trail in double file, leading away northward across the prairie, a short cut to the Bed Clond road. Charlton followed it with bis keen eyes and noted with a smile bow straight a line its young leader must bave made for the "dip" in tbe grassy ridge a mile away, through which ran tbe bard, beaten track. Blunt prided himself on these little points of soldiership, as tbe captain well remembered, and when charged with guiding at tbe head of a column was pretty sure to fix his eyes on some distant landmark and steer for that, with little regard for what might be going on at tbe rear. "How much ammunition?" "Eighty rounds carbine per man—80 revolver, sir." A hundred yards across the prairie was tbe "double file" trail of the detachment on its straight line for the ridge, and here, only a little distance out, were tbe hoof prints of a troop horse both coming and going. Even more interested now, tbe captain went some distance out across the prairie, and still he found them. Leaving the hut and following to overtake the troop, tbe borse bad instantly taken the gallop. The prints settled that But what struck Captain Charlton as strange was that the other tracks, those which were made by tbe same horse in coming to the hut, were still to be found far out toward the northeast It was evident, then, that tbe rider had not turned back from tbe command until it bad marched some distance from tbe Niobrara; that be bad not gone back to the bank where they had been in camp, as would bave been tbe case had he lost or left something behind, but bad come here to this abandoned hovel southeast of the trail. Now, what did that mean? One other thing the captain did not fail to notethat horse bad cast a shoe. "Very good, sergeant." And, this brief colloquy ended, the sergeant reined about and rode to tbo right flank. "Pre pare to mount—mount!" ordered the captain. "Form ranks!" and without further delay, "i'ours right—march!" And away they went up the lonely valley, along the winding water, breaking iuto columns of twos and riding ' 'at ease" the moment they had passed the point where the post commander and a little knot of oflicers had assembled to bid them godspeed. Captain Charlton bent down from his saddle to grasp the colonel's extended hand and whisper a few words in his ear. The colonel nodded appreciatively. "They can't escape," he answered low, and then, watched by friendly eyes in that little group until out of sight and by fierce and lurking spies until darkness shrouded them from view, the troop rode jauntily on its mission, Charlton and Blunt in murmured consultation in the lead and 48 stalwart troopers confidently and unquestioniugly following in their tracks. VV'bo cared that an all night ride through Indian haunted wilds was before them? It was an old, old story to every man. Great heavens! It meant that the whole party was coming up the Rawbide and before dark would find and follow bis track. Fred's first impulse was to mount, and, giving Jim the spars, ride on the wings of the wind back to the north—back to the Niobrara, where be bad left the troop in bivouac. There at least was safety, for they oould not trail him in the dark. But the second thought covered him with shame. Qo back—go back now! Never, ao long as be bad a chance for life and hope. Away from here, and instantly he must speed on bis mission, and in another moment his girth was tightened, and Big Jim. astonished, was racing away eastward, but keeping the sheltered ridge between him and the Platte. The sun is sinking behind the bluffs, and its last rays fall on a bullet riddled ambulance; on the stiffening bodies of a half dozen slaughtered animals—a horse and some mules; on a grim, determined little band of soldiers—two of tbem sorely wounded. The red shafts gleam on a litter of empty cartridge shells and tinge the canvas top of the overturned wagon. Out on the rolling prairie several hundred yards away the turf is dotted here and there by Indian ponies, the innocent victims of this savage warfare. Such Indian braves as have fallen have long since been picked up by their raging comrades and borne away. Despite their numbers never once yet have the savages managed to reach the defenders. Time and again they have swooped down in charge only to be met by cool, well aimed shots that tumbled some of their numbers to the turf and sent the others veering and yelling into the old familiar circle. At last they are tryiug the expedient of long range shots from different points of the compass, hoping to kill or cripple the whole party by sundown. The bullets clip the turf and scatter the dust all over tho ridge. There is practically no shelter, for the ground is too hard to dig. Old Sergeant Waller is prostrate with a bullet through the thigh. Colonel Gaines has bound his handkerchief tightly around his arm. 2he driver lies flat on bis face—dead. Every now and then the others tnrn longing eyes southward, hoping for some sign of infantry coming from the post, so many a mile away. They know well that Edwards will have levied on every wagon in Sidney to bring them, but not a whiff of dust cloud do they we. One of the soldiers gives a low moan and clasps his hands to his side, and Cross mutters between his set teeth, "Five minutes more of this will settle it." Not once had the defense interposed or asked a question. It was evidently the policy of Fred's advisers to let the prosecution go as far as it chose, and now came the announcement of the name that was most intimately connected with the case, and Sergeant Dawson in bis complete uniform strolled into court, removed the gauntlet from his right haud, and holding it aloft looked the judge advocate squarely in the face and swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nc.thing hot the troth. Then he sat down anil gluuced quickly around him, but his eyes did not seem to see Fred Waller, nor did they rest for an instant on Captain Charlton, who, tugging at his mustache, looked steadily at the face of his left guide. Then began the slow, painful, cumbrous method by which the law of the land requires military courts to extract their evidence, every question and answer being reduced to writing. Sergeant Dawson gave, as required, his full rank, troop, regiment and station, but hesitated as to the latter point. Wallace at once sent couriers westward to Fort Laramie with tho news, and at break of day started down stream with his wbole troop. They bad not marched five miles before tbey came upon the hoof priuts of a single horse, and just beyond the point where these boof prints crossed their trail the tracks of half a dozen Indian ponies met their eager eyes. One old sergeant, reining out of column to the right, followed the shod tracks over to the river bank, and n lieutenant spurred out and joined him ''hen be signaled with bis broad brimued scouting bat. The rest of the troop moved stolidly ahead. Tbe ambulance mules, tetbered about tbe tongue, were busily crunching tbeir liberal measure of oats. Each cavalry horse, too, buried his nose deep in tbe shimmering pile his rider had carefully poured for bim upon tbe dry side of tbe saddle blanket. The men were contentedly eating their hard tack and bacon and drinking their coffee from huge tin cups with tbe relish of old frontiersmen. One trooper, a few yards away out on tbe prairie, kept vigilant wateb. Pondering deeply over tbe strange and onacoountablo charge that had been laid at his young trumpeter's door, the captain was slowly pacing down the bank, puffing away at tbe brier root pipe that was the constant companion of his scouting days. Suddenly he heard tbe sentry call, and, turning, saw him pointing to the ground at his feet. "Mr. President, Mi man it in a spasm." more loudly, "It was just a few dollars I borrowed," he began; but, looking furtively around, he caught one glimpse of his captain's stern face and just beyond him, through the open window, the sight of a tall, straight form in the aniform of th6 infantry. It was tbe provost sergeant from Fort Robinson. chapter xm. AWAY TO THK rkscce! Hera along tbe ridge north of the littls branch of the Platte half a bun dred young warriors crouch and wait Farther back, equally Vigilant, other bands ara biding among the brakes and ravines near the river, while their scouts keep vigilant watch for tbe coming of cavalry. Forrest's grays and Wallace's sorrels oannot be more than a day's ride away, and will be hurrying for the road tbe moment they know that tbe Indians bave slipped around them. Wallace, up tbe Platte, has already heard. Presently the young officer overtook the column and reined in beside his captain.That night Fred Waller slept fitfully an the open prairie, with Big Jim tethered close at hand. Saturday morning found him ten miles to the east and ten miles farther from the river than the point where he watched the Sioux the previous evening." Hungry and worn with anxiety as he was, the poor boy's heart sank within bim when he cautiously peered over the ridge into the valley. After an early morning ride he saw the dust clouds near the stream and felt that he was still cut off. Noon was near when, far as be could see up or down, the valley was clear, and then, creeping out from his lair, be again mounted and rode straight for the Platte. Warily he watched in every direction, but no intruders oame. He was spurring over the flats only a mile from the river before the first sign of pursuit was made. Theu, far back toward the bluffs be had left, Fred spied a little party of warriors coming after bim full tilt. Late as it was when be reached the camp on White river that night—after midnight, as it proved—Charlton found bis young lieutenant up and anxiously awaiting bim. When the*horses had all been cared for and the two officers were alone near their tents, almost the first question asked by the captain was: "Where did they go, Park?" "Straight into the stream, sir, and evidently to the other side. Sergeant Brooks says 'twas a troop horse with a light rider and that he bad to swim across. The river is six feet deep out there, but it was bis only way of escape. The Indians couldn't have been far behind, and yet they didn't follow. Their tracks turn down the bank on this side. Brooks is following them "It wasn't mine," be weakly murmured.Were there "ghost lights" on the Niobrara that night? The Indian spies could swear by the deeds of their ancestors that the troop soon climbed out of the valley of the White river and rode brisklv southward bv the Sidnev trail, and that every man was in his place in column when they wound down in the Running Water flats at twilight. Yet hours afterward, far to the west, mile* away at the Laramie crossing, there were twinkling, dancing, "firefly" eleanis—like will-o'-thewisps—througr. the chinks and loopholes of that old log hut, and when morning came the ground was stamped with a fresh impress of half a dozen sets rf boof tracks—shod horses, not Indian ponies, this time. Another slip, and in tbe same cool, relentless tone the judge advocate read: "What reason had you for taking your horse to the post blacksmith instead of the cavalry farrier to be shod the evening you reached Fort Robinson?" "I was left behind at Red Cloud when the troop came away Sunday a week ago, sir, along with Private Donovan, and we were kept there until I pot orders to come here with the hospital steward. I just got in this morning, aud I'm told tbe troop is back at tbe Platte cro sing. " But the matter of station was of no particular consequence, and the examination proceeded. Yes, he knew the prisoner, Trumpeter Fred Waller, Troop B, and had known him several years before he had enlisted. Told to tell in his own way what he knew of the circumstances that led to the charges against Waller, the witness cleared his throat and began. "Did you give any man permission to ride back after you left the Niobrara Friday morning?" Again the pallor of his face was almost ghastly. A hunted and desperate look came into his flitting eyes. One could have beard a pin drop anywhere in tbe courtroom so intense was tbe silence. For the first time Dawson began to realize that bis every movement bad been watched, traced and reported, and still he strove to rally. It is 8 o'clock this bor, still Sunday afternoon, and they have been six hours out from Sidney, driving swiftly and steadily northward, when, as tbey reach tbe summit of a high ridge and stop to breathe their panting team, Colonel Gaines takes a long look through his fieldglass. Just in front is tbe shallow valley of the little stream now called the Pumpkinseed, though pumpkins were unheard of features in the landscape of 16 years ago. "What is it Horton?" be asked, going over toward bim. "No, sir," answered Blunt in some surprise. "No one asked, and every man was in his place when we made our first halt" now." "Who on earth could have come through here at such a time? Why, the country has been rnnning over with Indians.""Pony tracks, sir. The Indians bave been nosing around here since our men left" Immediately after reveille on Sunday morning, a good hour before the sun was bigb enough to peep over the tall white crags to the east of the little camp, the two officers were, out at the line, superintending the grooming of the hor«es. Fifty men were now present for doty, and 60 active steeds were tethered there at the picket rope, nipping at each other's noses or nibbling at the rope itself and prioking up their ears as the captain stopped to pat or to speak to one after another of bis pets. "That's what puzzles me, sir, but Brooks says there is no mistake. It's the cavalry shoe, of course. It's just after pay day at Robinson. Could it have been a deserter?" There were the prints of some half a dozen little, nnshod hoofs dotting the sandy hoilows in the low ground near the stream and easily traceable among the chimps «f buffalo grass beyond. Charlton could see where they had gathered in one spot, as though their riders were then in consultation, and then scattered once more along the bank. Two hundred yards away stood the lonely log cabin, all that was left of what bad been the ranch, and following the trail the captain presently fonnd himself nearing it. Two tracks seemed to lead straight thither, and before he reached it were joined by several more. Close to the abandoned hut the ground was worn smooth and hard, yet in the hollows were accumulations of dost blown from the roadway up the stream. Around here the pony tracks were thick, and just within the gaping doorway were footprints in the dost, some of spurred boot heels and broad soles, one still more recent of Sious moccasins. Through the solid log walls two small square windows had been cut and narrow slits for rifles, in the days when the occupants had freqnent occasion to defend their prairie castle. The opening to the subterranean "keep" was yawning under the eastern wall, its wooden cover having long since been broken up fbr fuel. Charlton stood for a moment within the blackened and dusty doorway and glanced curiously "He was a better horseshoer; that's all." "Yon have testified that yon did not go outside of tbe iiue on the night of the camp on the Niobrara and did not allow auv one to co back after tbe troo*» marched away For what purpose did yon yonrself ride back and enter the log hut yon described?" D Off to their right front, several miles »way, lie the low, broad bottom lands lDf the Platte; across the Pumpkinseed, n mile distant, another ridge like the one on which they halted, only not so high; to the westward a tumbling sea of prairie upland, all buttes, ridges, ravines, coulees, bnt not a living soul is anwybere in sight Far as his practiced eye can sweep the horizon and the broad lowlands of the Platte not a sign of a living, moving object can Colonel Gaines detect. Turning around, be trains his glass upon the tortuous road they had been following, and along "No man in bin seniles would have dared such a thing," is the impatient answer. "It may be some other infernal trick to Ret as away from oar legitimate business. What we've got to do is reach that Sidney road by sunset. By Jove, if I'm court martialed for this business it wcn't surprise me!" And the captain's horse evidently felt the sudden grip of the knees, for he took a sudden sport and set most of the troop at the nerve wearing jog trot Mr. Park said nothing more, but for the life of him he could not help thinking of those lone hoof prints and of that solitatry rider. Who could he be? Never stopping for more than one glauce he gave Jim the rein, urging him to full speed; marked, as he flashed across it only a few huudred yards from the bank, the trail of a cavalry command going up the valley and wondered whose it conld be. Then he and Jim went crashing through the gravel at the water's edge and plunged boldly into the running stream. Deeper and deeper brave old Jim pushed in until the waters foamed about his broad and muscular breast. Then Fred threw himself from the saddle and, keeping tight hold of the pommel and steadying bis carbine with the same hand, "Swim for it, old man I" he shouted to his gallant horse, and in another minute he and Jim were floating with the carrent, yet rapidly nearing the other shore. Three minutes, and, dripping wet, but safe, they were scrambling up the sooth bank and speeding away over the bounding turf with the baffled pursuers still two miles behind. It must have meant "bad medicine" for the Sioux, for when morning came all the bands that bad been so confidently raiding the trails through the settlements found tliemseives compelled to seek the shelter of their reservations. From Laramie to Sidney tho stalwart infantry came marching to the scene, and from east, north and west the cav.- alry came trotting, troop after troop, to hem in and head them off The very baud that ventured south of the Platte and killed in cold blood those helpless teamsters and then sought the destruction of (-Jainesand his men, five hip now lDefore Wallace's troops, were met and soundly thrashed by our friend* of Coinpan v 1)! with Captain Charlton and LieutenoBt Blunt in the lead, and by Monday mgnt tne broad valley was Glrar of savage foes, the ravuJry were restiiiH bv tin :r bivouac fires, and then, from the lips of Captain Wallace, C'liaii fo:i heard the story of Fred Waller's es ploit and of the long gailop tiir.t tiroughl about the rescue ot Colonel Gaines But what means this sndden scurry and excitement among the besiegers? Why do they crowd and clamor there at the north? What can they see over thnt ridge beyond the little stream? Presently others join them, then more and more. Then there are whoops of rage and few ill aimed, scattering shots. Three or four of the red men ride dariugly, tauutiugly Sown, as though to resume the attack, and shout vile epithets in vilest English in response to the shots with which they are greeted, and then they, too, go riding away. "Lie down, you idiots!" yells Captain Cross to the two soldiers who would spriug up to cheer, but t moment more and even the wounded wave their feeble hands and join in the triumphant shout. The ridge is cleared of every vC*tige of the foe. The warriors go speeding away eastward toward the Platte. Far out over the prairie, to the northeast, a troop ot blue horsemen is driving in pursuit, and over the neighboring erest come a half dozen friendly forms and faces, spurring their foam flecked horses in the race. It was tbe nisbt thev campod at the Niobrara, giving tbe date, that the prisoner seemed restless. All tbe men expected tbe Indians to make an attempt to run off the horses, aud all were wakeful, but he had most occasion to notice Waller, who didn't seem able to sleep. That night passed without alarm of any kind, but the next night it was very dark, the moon went down at 11, and tbe horses got to stamping and snorting. Witness was sergeant of the guard and all night long had to be moving about among his sentries and the herd. About midnight he had come in to the fire, where Sergeant Graham was sleeping, to clean ont his pipe, that had clogged. His leather wallet, with his inonev aud some papers, was inside the canvas scouting jacket tbat the captain allowed him and others of the men to wear, and be took the jacket off a few minutes while he walked over to the stream aud soused his bead and face in the cold water, a thing he always tried to C1o when he felt sleepy. While there he thought he heard a call from the sentry up the stream, and he ran thither, and it was just then that the horses begau making such a fuss. He kopt around among the sentries, trying to find out the cause, and did not go back to the fire nntil it was all quiet, after 2 o'clock, and then be slipped into his jacket and overcoat and linrried back to where Donovan was on post below tbe bivouac. There was some noise tbey could not understand far out 011 the prairie in that direction. He never missed his money and the wallet uutil daybreak, when it was discovered that Waller bad gone. He never heard him steal away dnring tbe -night and was simply aniaaed when told of "I—I never did I" gasped Dawson, with glaring eyes and ashen faoe. "I"— But bis tougue seemed to cleave to the roof of his month, for Captain Charlton quietly arose, stepped forward and placed npon the table a large, flat wallet, at sight of which the sergeant's nerves gave way entirely He made one )r two efforts to speak, he straggled as f to rise, his eyes rolled in his bead, md in another instant be was slippinf telpl si ~ *he floo' A Always particularly careful of his horses. Captain Charlton on this bright sunshiny morning was noting especially the condition of their feet. Every one of those 200 hoofs was keenly scrutinized as he passed along the line. But there was nothing unusual in this. He never let a week go by without it "You seem to have had a number reshod within the last few hours, sergeant," be said to Graham as be stopped at the end of the line. It is time we got back to him. Only one man or boy, known to ua at least, could have come that way. It was Trumpeter Fred. to the floor. _ young sorgeot •prang to his side as the bystander* Cnntinu.nl ini^ ftV *LL NAT'OA^TOI of l*e Globe for HEUMATISMl RALGIA and Complaints, I ad prepared under the Btrlngcnt RMAN MEDICAL LAWS.^ rescribed by eminent physioiansi^HI OR. RICHTER'S (Km " ANCHOR  IN EXPELLERl renowned J Remarkably succenf o 1 f V mine with Trade Mark " Anchor,"■ irhter 'Co., 215 PearlSt., New Tort. ■ ( HIGHEST AWARDS. g_ ranch Honsea. Own Glassworks M Etidorsed & rucorumended bD Fnrrur S P.vk. »D Luzerne Avenne, SSV Ci. C. Oikk, fiO North Main St. H 4 Nortb Wain St WTV PitttRton. Pa. r =m: pick I « \-NCi Mi \ 8TOS4ACIIAT. bwt for I "Yes, sir, I looked them all over yesterday morning. Every shoe is snug and ready now in case we have to go out Seven horses were reshod yesterday, and over 30 had the old shoes tacked on." Daybreak Friday had found him a few miles south of the Niobrara, and close to the Laramie road. At noon Friday he had halted at the Rawhide to rest his horse and take a bite of luncheon, but all his young soul was athrill with eagerness; every faculty was alert. Warned of the recent presence of Indians on every side, he was yet seeking to gain the Platte before nightfall, cross to the south bank, where there was comparative safety, ride southeastward until his horse was exhausted, picket him where grass and water were near at hand, sleep till dawn again, and then push on. He must reach the Sidney road before Sunday morning and strike it far below the river. Grooming over, each trooper vaulted on to the bare back of his horse and rode in orderly column down to the running stream, and still Charlton stood there, silently watching his men and noting the condition of their steeds. Blunt was bustling about his duties, every now and then looking over at his soldiery captain. Something told him that the troop commander had made a discovery or two that had set him to thinking. He was even more silent (ban usual. And these were the tracks that Wallace found as he came hurrying back down stream. Our captain could lin idly t for morn ing to com", but in two d ivs more In Saturday again Fred Waller and his faithful horse sp°nt on the open prairie, for in the darkness he found it impossible to make his way. The meon was gone by 1 o'clock, and her light had been all too faint before. But Sunday, just a little after noon, he had come in sight of the goal he bad sought through such infinite pluck and peril, the Sidney road, and as he gazed at it from afar, peering at it as usual from behind a sheltering bluff, his heart sank into his boots. He had come too late. There on that distant trail were the tiny columns of blae smoke floating skyward which told of borning wagons, now in crumbling ruiDS. Worn than that, here close at buutL over ou of the Beraeaut at Sidney I arracks, ami Trump was standing by the led-Mde of bis oM "Look up, sergeant! Look up, old man! Here's Fred himself. Didn't I tell you he was no deserter?" It was  voice, and it is Cross' strong arm that lifts the wondering, trembling veteran to his feet. The young fellow has leaped from his horse and is springing toward them. With a wondrous look of relief, of inexpressible joy, of gratitude beyond all words, of almost heaven born rapture mingling with the sunshine in his old face, the sergeant stretches forth his trembling arms and cries aloud: "My boy I My boy!" •ter Fred wit* thote too Cue wet k bit1 id tii»D bis, sunshiny around him Except for the new footprints it looked very much as it did when be bad first taken occasion to inspect the interior, earlier in the summer. There was nothing loft that any one could carry away, and be wondered why the Indians should have troubled themselves to dismount and prowl about. An Indian bates a bonse on general principles, and enters one only when be expects to ■mka something by it Those recent feaat vmmtm, nearly effaced far the bkm»- assembly room of the oh) barrack, ai "/ can't make out." impressive scene took place, and a long T'TTiombcred though very brief trial v which the dust is slowly settling in their wake. Something seems to attract his gaze, for he holds the binocle steadily toward the south. Naturally Cap tain Cross and the two soldiers follow with their eyes. The third infantryman has dismounted and is readjusting the girths of his saddle. brought to .. A cour martial was 111 session at Sidney, tin general wh commanded the department liad himself arrived to look into the condition of affairs about tlw Indian reservation, and with Captain Charlton had had a long consultation, at the close of which the bearded, kindly faced brigadier bad gone to the hospital with the troop commander, and bending over old Waller as he lay npou the narrow rot took bis hand and talked with him almut Kike Forks ai»U Auoomuttox aud uu abrupt close At 7 o'clock, after a refreshing dip in a pool under the willows close at baud, the two officers were seated on their camp stools and breakfasting at the lid of the mess chest. Over among the brown bnildings of the post, half a mile away, the bogles were sounding new call, and the infantry people wen Bat here, as he neared the valley, a Right had met his eyes which made his young heart leap. The banks of the Rawhide were dotted here and there by fresh pony tracks, and, coming from the distant ridges to the east, they bad gone in as though to water, and then turned down toward the Platte, the "What is it?" asks Cross. "I can't make out," is the reply. "Something is kicking up a dnst there, tome miles behind us—a horseman, I CHAPTER XIV. lWjrocFvr on twn/rr? T!w pviio-t s- m iu Fort P. ttiin hitt CcWt nou Tko hwn disnnsed to