Part 26 (1/2)
”I haven't seen hi have you been on duty?”
”Cao”
”Has Lieutenant Carrol come in?” came from Benson
”Not that I know of; reckon not,” answered the guard
”Worse and worse!” groaned the old scout ”Who is in command here?”
”Captain Lee But he's about half sick, too”
”It's a trick of the eneuard with interest
”Yes, a trick,” put in Joe ”Benson, hadn't they better sound the alarm?”
”Yes, and I'll interview Captain Lee”
No more was said, and, while the sentinel called the corporal of the guard, the old scout hurried off to find the captain in command With him went Joe and Darry Joe's heart was like a lump of lead, for he was much concerned over the non-appearance of his brother Had the captain met the Indians and been killed or taken prisoner?
Captain Lee was in a sound sleep, but quickly roused up when told that an ie awaited hi rooms of the fort His head was tied up in a wet towel, and his eyes showed that he was suffering
”This is certainly a deep-laid plot,” he said, when all had told their story ”The desperadoes and Indians intend to combine in an attack on the fort Mose is undoubtedly that wily old half-breed who is still alive and who is very thick with White Ox But I didn't know he could write”
”But what about this money at the fort?” asked Joe
”The money is here, in a chest that is hidden away It aold, and is the property of the Nevell Mining Co until Mr Nevell could have it transported to Denver You see, Nevell is a brother-in-law to Colonel Fairfield”
”The colonel ed,” said Benson ”That's the reason he acts so queerly”
”I suppose so, and that is what has affected ht eon of this Perhaps he can then do so to relieve Colonel Fairfield”
The captain lost no ti the necessary orders, and in a few minutes the whole place was in alarm and the soldiers were on the watch for the first appearance of the Indians
”My poor husband drugged!” cried Mrs Fairfield, when she heard the news ”What villains those Indians and desperadoes are! Doctor, can you do nothing?”
”I think I can, s were administered and how much the colonel has taken Rest assured I will do my best for him”
Upon examination it was found that out of all the officers at the fort only four were fit for duty, all the others being sick, either through being drugged or otherwise Of the privates not ht should an attack come
”And the worst of it is, the men won't knohat to eat or drink after this,” said Captain Lee to Benson ”Who can tell what has been drugged?