Part 25 (2/2)
Thus half an hour passed The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional note of a night bird or the dis squeak of a lizard
”So!” cried Joe at last, and both of the boys stood on the defensive, rifles in hand The party came closer and closer, and at last theyat the top of his speed
”Quick! follow me!” he exclaimed, as he dashed up ”There is not a , and in a trice they were in the saddle onceafter old Benson, who now took to another trail leading somewhat to the south of that formerly pursued
”You saw the Indians?” questioned Joe, as they dashed on
”I did White Ox is ahead, with sixty or seventy of his best warriors
Froht, and half a dozen of the soldiers were either killed or wounded Now White Ox isfor the fort”
”To attack it?”
”I can't say about that, but I think he is going to hide in the vicinity, to wait for the co of the desperadoes”
”And what of h all right?”
”Nothing was said about the captain, lad I suppose he got through”
It was hard to talk while riding at such a rate of speed, and soon the conversation came to an end The horses noed plain evidence of their long journey, but each rider kept his steed at his best
It was after two o'clock in thewhen the fort came into view, dark and silent in theit Benson now rode in advance
”Halt!” came the sudden command, while the scout was still a hundred yards from the stockade The command was loud and clear, but the speaker was invisible
”It's all right, friend,” answered the old scout ”It's me, Sam Benson
Let ht, Benson,” was the answer ”But who is that behind you?”
”Joe Moore and Darry Ger?”
”The colonel is very sick”
”Sick?”
”Yes”
”What's the trouble?”
”The surgeon can't make out exactly He's in a sort of stupor, and they can't rouse hiate was open, and all three of our friends lost no tiate was closed and barred again
”Has Captain Moore returned?” asked Joe, as soon as he could get the guard's attention