Part 17 (1/2)
They had e Acker by Captain Clinton's side, discovered so He looked at it for a moment, and then called the officer's attention to it
”They have begun their tricks at last,” said he ”Do you see that dark streak out there in the grass? That's a new trail There! Mose has discovered it, and is going out to see what it looks like”
Bringing the colue and some of the officers, rode forward to the place where the scout, who had got down fro over the trail After he had taken plenty of tihtened up to announce the result
”Four of theone this way, cap,” said he ”They've left a plain trail, on purpose to coax you to foller 'eratified,” answered the captain proer than theirs, I can stand more divisions than they can I would as soon whip them in detail as to whip them in a lump--Earle, take a dozen ood, sir,” replied the lieutenant
”Have you brought your signal-code with you? All right! If you discover anything startling, send a courier toafter the , for we ought to be within striking distance of those rascals in a few hours more”
The lieutenant saluted and rode back to the colu the weapon behind the third coluht by twos--ht the selected twelve alongside the new trail, which they at once began to follow up at a gallop, waving their caps to their co his men in this way the lieutenant did not happen to take Bob Owens, who rode farther back in the coluhted when there was anything of this kind going on, was both surprised and provoked at his officer; but he afterward thanked hiratulated hily after the lieutenant, and so in pursuit of him; but he finally made up his mind to stay with the main colu up the saht of Lieutenant Earle and his party, who disappeared a the sandhills The latter must have ridden very swiftly, for shortly after noon they were a long distance fro pointed out by a slender column of white smoke that suddenly arose in the air
”That's them varmints, cap,” said the scout, whose eye was quick to detect the signal ”They're talkin' to each other”
”I know there is somebody where that smoke comes from, but I am not sure that they are hostiles,” replied Captain Clinton ”On the contrary, I am of the opinion that the men who built that fire want to talk to _me_ At any rate, I shall soon know”
As the captain said this he pulled his watch from his pocket with one hand, and with the other produced a note-book, which he held ready for reference The column was not halted, but the eye of every man in it was fastened upon the distant sht that its top seeround by soency, and floated off into space A few seconds passed, and then two balloon-shaped clouds arose in quick succession froe took note of the fact that when the last one arose the captain looked at his watch Another short interval elapsed, and then two more clouds arose, and finally twoslap and consulted his note-book
”I knew I couldn't be mistaken,” said he ”That's from Earle, and he is about to communicate with me by courier--Push ahead now, scout, for he is on a hot trail Hallo! have you found another?” he added as the scout, instead of obeying the order to ”push ahead,” suddenly drew up his horse and threw hione off this time?”
”The saoin' somewhar too, for their ponies were movin' at full jump when they turned off here They're up to some trick or another, but I can't tell yet what it is”
”Then we must find out, for it is our business to look into these little things I should like to knohere this trail leads to, and I want--Let me see”
The captain turned about and ran his eye over the colu officer was seen to stop his horse He seemed to be in a quandary, out of which he was helped alure upon which his gaze rested for a moment
”He's the man I want,” said the captain aloud--”Ackerman, will you tell Lieutenant Smith, who is now in command of Earle's troop, that I want to see Corporal Owens?”
”Certainly, sir May I go with hie, who knew in ain the wind
The captain nodded assent, and George galloped back to the column When he returned Bob Owens rode at his side The captain riting--copying so upon a piece of paper froh to return Bob's salute, although he did not say anything to hi restive at the delay, and that by his constant pawing and tossing of his head he disturbed his rider, who did his writing while seated in the saddle, Bob dismounted and took the animal by the bridle, and the troopers who reht their pipes
”There!” said the captain at length--”Step up here, corporal, and I will explain this to you--Ackerood men to follow this new trail”
By the time the lieutenant had received and obeyed this order, Captain Clinton, as a fast talker, had told the corporal just what he wanted him to do, and explained to him the contents of the paper he had copied from his note-book; and Bob, as quick to cohed all his words as fast as they were uttered He then put hie Acker by his side
”Noe are off for another lark,” exclaimed Carey as soon as he and his co By so and Phillips had been selected to accompany Bob on every one of his expeditions, and as they had never failed to accoan to think that there was nothing too hard for them to undertake
”But this may not be so much of a 'lark' as you think,” said Bob; and Carey afterward recalled the words when he found hi-parties on account of a painful wound in his sword-arm ”We are not out after deserters now, but Indians”
”What are you going to do with thes as lively for them as I can,” replied Bob ”But I don't think I shall cooing to follow every trail and force the Indians to go back to their agency, whether they want to go or not; that is, unless we can overhaul theet there”
”I _knoe are not out on a 'lark,'” said George Ackerht without water?”
”Gracious!” exclai around at the sandhills, which now shut the a strea, is it? I e could find one now, for the water in my canteen is just ready to boil”