Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A CAMPAIGN OF STRATEGY. 589 the Apaches made a visit. Inasmuch as the utmost precautions could not shut them out, it would be a waste of time for the owner to seek to obstruct them. : Having circled far enough outward on the plain, the three headed in almost a direct line for Bozeman’s ranch. ‘The sun was now in the horizon and the heat seemed as frightful as ever. Despite the strain of the situation, both Gannet and Kingsford felt it, as did all their animals, but Atwood seemed unconscious of the unusual temperature. The ponies were forced toa gallop, but the yielding sand made the traveling difficult, and after a few miles, the animals dropped to a walk. There was danger of the beasts succumbing even under that, and it was the utmost that the men dared to do. The ranchman kept unremitting watch. His dread was that a large party of Apaches might dash out from among the foothills on their tough animals aid assail them. Since the little company were well mounted, there was reason to believe that they could escape an encounter, but necessarily there was no certainty in the matter till the test came. When night closed in over the desolate scene, most of the journey had been completed. There was a slight abatement of temperature, and Atwood exasperated his grim companions by remarking that it had really become cool and pleasant. ‘‘ Gannet,’’ he added, ‘‘ you must have been mistaken about the moon not rising until after midnight.” = Way? | ‘‘ The horizon is growing light ahead of us ; it must be the moon.’’ ‘“The moon has no more to do with it than you,’’ was the grim reply ; “it is a burning building,” Heavens !’’ exclaimed Kingsford: “it is in the direction of Boze- man’s !’’ ‘‘ And it zs Bozeman’s.’’ You don’t mean to say a ~ Yes, I do; long before morning there will be nothing left but ashes the Apaches are there |” CHAPTER IV.—Ar BozEMAn’s. Ow that same flaming afternoon, Molly Bozeman and her sister, Kate Warren, were doing their best to keep partially cool, as they sat under the shade of the front porch. ‘They had completed their household duties, which were light, since all the cooking was done out of doors. The use of a stove or fireplace at this season would have made the dwelling intolerable. The younger woman was in a flutter of pleasant anticipation over the coming of Harvey Kingsford. Word had been received from him on the pre- vious day, through Bronco Brisbin, who had ridden over to Khrenburg, so that the young man was expected at any hour or moment. ‘The fact that Kingsford had lingered in that little town for the purpose of attending his strickeh comrade, deepened the regard of the hardy cowmen and added a Cconmicoooks —_ 2) (S@)