Carl The Trailer

mals to bother him-nothing but the coyotes, which gathered around him and kept pace with him almost to the fort; but the thought that

d his horse to graze and recover his "second wind," for he had been riding rather rapidly of late, being anxious to get over as much of t

ge

lieutenant to himself. "Suppose he had asked me to give it up to him? Would I have done it

ight Parker rode with his hands in his pockets, and never touched the reins at all. The way seemed to have no end; but just as he was forgetting his troubles and his he

d it was all he could do to keep from yelling. "An officer

ge 106 there in the Sioux camp, that it seemed as though the corporal never would come; but

in, sir," said he, extending his hand, "bu

u I am tired," he added, seeing that the corporal opened his eyes

in his hand and waiting impatiently until he got through; and when the colonel looked up and was about to tel

er with you?" he

he lieutenant. "I have lost my

ge

what had happened at the Grand River school. The colonel looked grave, an

e?" he said, when Par

ut the way. When it grew dark I

t all the sleep you want. We will talk

life," said Parker to himself as he went out to put up his

ge 108 wonder at the most-Parker's knowledge of "plainscraft," or the audacity of the Indians in making a capture almost within reach of the fort, and when they were not on the warpath. And then there was the squawman. It was a great marvel to the officers how Carl

that assaulted you?" asked the colonel, after Park

, "and I wouldn't have known what he

understood their business, but Mr. Preston thought that it would be well worth while to watch them. One night he detected them robbing him, and he shot both of them; but they made out to get away in spite of their wounds. One would think that they would go as far from this country as they

asked the major. "Don't you imagine that there is somebody who is go

wish I could Page 110 get my hands on those men," added the officer, rising to his feet and walking back and forth in the room. "It does not make any difference where a man goes, he is bound to make some e

een off there a dozen times and came back safe, and he supposed he could keep on doing it. After taking a few turns up and down the floor he announced

himself in his chair, "for somehow I am as much interested in that boy as though he were my own.

fixedly at the floor for a few minutes, and then rai

a report to General Miles, and request that he make a demand o

h of relief, for they were thinkin

make that trip to Standing Rock

ieutenant promptly. "I wi

l relieve you of all duty to-day, and to-morrow you and your horse will be rested

ge

heir hats and bowed themselves out. They all

major. "You are going to get up a reputation as a sco

cause I want to do something for Carl," said Parker. "He

ere he found his room-mate waiting for him. He had not been summoned into the colonel's prese

ker drew off his shoes and st

I am going to get up a reputation as a scout. I am ordered to Pa

ou going?" a

ort Y

oing to take a

e," said the lie

I did the last time you went, for like

with a smile. "The Sioux will not

hat squawman," said Randolph. "If it suits

ugh there were no Sioux there.

r an hour, he went out to see about his horse. The animal Page 114 was his main dependence now. If he missed the trail and wandered away on the plains, he might never

, seeing that the beast's feet and l

enant. "I came out to do that myself. He h

h you, sir? I could really enjo

can't take anybody.

is every chance in the w

River alone after

an I could do. The horse wil

feeling in all his pockets for a piece of loose change. But the paymaster was not due yet, and, li

im," muttered Parker, as he once more turned his steps towa

the lieutenant walked his horse up in front of the colonel's quarters, and l

s way," said the colonel, "but you are the only one w

horse kno

. Go on, and be back

salute, and went out. He shook hands with Sergeant Leeds, mount