Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

'_A CAMPAIGN OF STRATEGY. 599 to the foothills, and the continued silence would soon tell them that no one was left in the house. Hence, the importance of the women getting as far as possible from the spot without a moment’s delay. Miss Warren recalled that there was a well marked path leading from the rear of the building into the foothills, and it was over this trail that the single Apache was making his way, doubtless soon to be followed by others. Nothing was more natural than for her sister to use the same avenue, and she was therefore in danger of being overtaken and despatched by this single warrior. She would be looking for Kate, and was liable to mistake the hostile for her. + ‘* Molly is in more Saher than she suspects,’’ muttered Kate, starting over the trail after the Apache, who, if matters were as the younger fugitive sus- pected, was thus placed between two fires with little danger, however, from either. The situation could not have been more unique. What seemed quite prob- able was that others of the hostiles would start over the same trail. Todo . so, they must fall in behind Miss Warren, who would also be caught between two fires, and be in the gravest peril from both. In other words, the fugitives and the Apaches were likely to be sandwiched between one another, with a fatal collision inevitable. . Mrs. Bozeman did not comprehend all the complications that impended, while her sister did. It was most perilous thus to follow the stealthy Apache along the path, but it seemed necessary for the'sake of her sister, and Miss Warren did not hesitate. As she advanced, rifle ready for instant use, she glanced to the rear, as often as to the front. The brief delay, however, had thrown her so far back that the single Apache was invisible, though liable to appear at any moment. Miss Warren had not gone fifty feet, when she was startled by a slight hissing sound like that of a serpent. It was on the right and very near. Just there the stunted cedars and the huge boulders rendered her eyes almost useless. A furtive look to the front and rear failed to show anything of the hostiles, and she paused, not knowing whether to advance further or to retreat. The situation could not have been more trying, for she was sure that the buck whom she was following had detected her footsteps, and stepped aside to wait for her, but, while wondering why, if that were the case, he should have warned her of his presence, she was startled by the faintest possible whisper : ‘‘It is I, Molly ; step out of the path beside me.”’ At the same moment, from the gloom a hand was stretched forth and it caught her arm. ‘The younger sister, who had borne herself like a heroine, almost collapsed in the joy of the discovery. Stepping forward, she threw one arm around the form of the elder, and fervently kissing her, murmured : ‘‘’Thank God; but where is that Apache ?”’ ‘‘ He passed just in front of you.’’ ‘* How was it he did not discover you ?”’ ‘Give Providence the credit, for I deserve none; I had come thus far, when some of my senses returned tome. I did not know what to make of Eomichooks:com rae)