Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

7 596 ; A CAMPAIGN OF STRATEGY. of urging her sister to hesitate no longer, when something caught her eye. In the deepening shadow of the nearest cedar, an object moved. Had she been gazing directly at the spot, she might have been able to identify it, but she was looking at a point some distance to one side, so that it was little more than a slight flutter in her field of ‘vision. ; A question to Mrs. Bozeman brought the reply that she had not observed it, and both centered their attention upon the spot. It was easy to under- stand that the flutter might mean everything or nothing. A watchful Apache would not be likely to betray himself, and it might be that it was only a piece of dead limb that had fallen to the ground of its own weight. And yeta mistake was to decide the question of life or death. The sisters stood in an agony of fear, unable to decide on the best thing to do. Was it safe to tarry a while longer in the hope that their friends would arrive? | | Remembering that the front of the house had been left unguarded for a little time, the elder ran to the door and looked out. ‘The first glance brought a shock that almost took away her breath. A party of Apache horsemen were approaching on a gallop, and were so near that the men could be readily observed in the gathering gloom. ‘“ We mustn't wait another second, Kate!’’ exclaimed the elder in dis- may; “‘ they will be here in two minutes.’’ Kate, rifle in hand, ran to the front door, which was partly open. Don’t leave that way,’’ called Molly; ‘‘ they will see you,’’ But Kate did not intend to run out into full view. On the contrary, she brought her Winchester to a level and fired into the galloping horsemen. Her shot was intended to check the tumultuous advance, and it succeeded in doing that, but also accomplished a much less desirable thing. The Indian horsemen fell apart, and spreading out, prepared to circle around the building, as they had done earlier in the day. If the women paused another second, all hope of escape would be ended. They did not pause. Mrs. Bozeman was the first to gather her skirts about her and climb through one of the rear windows. Her sister was so close that she leaped to the ground almost at the same instant. It was too late now to turn back, and with a muttered prayer the two fugitives sped like a couple of fawns across the brief space toward the shelter of the foot- hills. Even though a score of foes might be waiting for them on the edge of the shelter, the two must rush into their arms, for it was impossible now to turn back. CHAPTER VI.—THE FUGITIVES. AN extraordinary complication followed. Mrs. Bozeman was slightly in advance, but her sister was hardly two or three paces to the rear. The younger was more self possessed, for while Molly bent every-energy toward reaching the shelter and did not glance to the right or left, Kate was on the alert for every form of danger. In their haste they had taken nothing with DD Co Eomicbooks