Bob Hampton of Placer
rite skulking-place and hunting-ground of the restless Sioux. Winter and summer this wide expanse had to be suspiciously patrolled by numerous military scouting parties, anxious to learn more reg
onor attached, while never had soldiers before found trickier fo
ery side of them extended the treeless wilderness, the desolate loneliness of bare, brown prairie, undulating just enough to be baffling to the eyes, yet so dull, barren, grim, silent, and colorless as to drive men mad. The shimmering heat rose and fell in great pulsating waves, although no slightest breeze came to stir the stagnant air, while thick clouds of white dust, impregnated with poisonous alkali, rose
brim, which had been drawn low to shade them from the glare, one hand pressing upon his saddle holster as he leaned over to rest. No insignia of rank served to distinguish him from those equally dusty fellows plodding gloomily behind, but a broad stripe of yellow running down the seams of his trousers, together with his high boots, bespoke the cavalry service, while the front of his battered
sta lay outspread, he partially turned his face toward the men stragg
f the Bear Water, Carson," he questioned quietly, "where
purred his exhausted horse into a brief trot, and drew up short by the officer's side, his heavy
he replied respectfully, "but the big cottonwood with t
e stream. As his barely moving horse topped the uneven summit, the lieutenant suddenly drew in his rein, and uttering an exclamation of surprise, bent forward, staring inte
piciously sweeping the bare slope. "There
rigidity of their limbs, the ghastly pallor of the exposed young face accentuated by dark, dishevelled hair, all alike seemed to indicate death. Never once questioning but that he was confronting the closing scene of a grewsome tragedy, the thoroughly aroused lieutenant dro
s fellow's clasp," he cried, briefly. "The girl retains a
table and plunging forward in unconsciousness, written as legibly as though by a pen. Every pang of mental torture had left plainest imprint across that haggard countenance. He appeared old, pitiable, a wreck. Carson, who in his long service had witnessed much of death and suffering, bent tenderly above him, seeking for some faint evidence of lingering life. His fingers felt for no wound, for to his experienced eyes the
demanded, his voice ren
officer's face, his own eyes filled with feeling. "I can distinguish
you mak
he only thing I see now is to g
of sun-burnt, desolate prairie stretching in every direction, his eye
commanded, decisively. "Move quickly, lad
ankets, securely fastened about the saddle pommels, swaying gently to the measured tread of the trained animals. The lieutenant directed every movement, while Carson rode ahead, picking out the safest route through the short grass. Beneath the protecting shadows of the first group of cottonwoods, almost on the banks of the muddy Bear Water, the little party let down their senseless burdens, and began
vanced slowly, the sup
the measur
n slowly, and with wonderment, she gazed up into those strange, rough faces surrounding her, pausing in her first surv
y safe now, with friends to care for you. Peters, bring another cup of that broth. Now, miss, just ta
, every movement mechanical, h
Then her glance wandered away, and finally rested upon another little kneeling grou
uestioned, trembling
but mighty near gone, I'm afraid. I'
t motionless body she could barely distinguish. "Let me tell you, that fellow's a man, just the same; the game
his charge just long enough to glance inquiringly across his shoul
andalous, but I guess it 's the very luck that's goin
begins to look as if this might be some
es
far a
them soldiers. My dad was shot, and then that night he-he got me out up the rocks, and he-he was carrying me in his arms when
man? What'
for some reason which she could never clearly explain ev
heavily across toward where they were sitting, lifting his hand in soldierly sal
Purty weak yit, but he'll come round in time." He stared curiously down at the girl now s
, "but I know you. You're old man G
he ghastly pallor of her face, and her lips trembl
and softly on her shoulder, his bl
miliar, but could n't quite decide where I had seen you before. So poor old Gillis has gone, and you are left all alone in the world! Well, he was an old soldier, could not
nstant his gaze dwelt upon the crossed sabres shielding the gilded "7" on the front of the lieutenant's scouting hat, then settled upon the face of the girl. With one h
will!" he said, hoarsel
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