Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

600 A CAMPAIGN OF STRATEGY. : the report of that gun and the death shriek of the Apache, but I saw that I was getting further away from you with every step I took. Then, too, I dreaded that some of them might follow the path. So I turned off to wait and listen for a few minutes. Had you not come as you did, I should have gone back to look for you, for the sight of the Indian passing over the trail filled me with a horrible dread that you had been killed.” ‘‘ We have had a fortunate—ah, see that !” It was the light from the burning building that caused this exclamation. It did not take the Apaches long to learn that no defenders were within, and there was no risk in setting fire to it. They had ceased whooping things up, and firing their guns, since there was no call for anything of that nature. In the stillness of the night the increasing roar of the flames was plainly ' heard, and the glare which lit up the heavens reached to where the awed sisters were standing, gazing in the direction of their late home, whose illu- mination was certain to bring to the spot, sooner or later, Al Bozeman and his men, to say nothing of those at Gannet’s ranch. This being the case, it would seem that the best course for the sisters was to stay near the burning dwelling until the coming of their friends ; but they feared todo so. ‘The vegetation was so scant that despite the care they took to screen themselves, they were more likely than ever to be discovered by any savages who might be prowling in the vicinity. ~ We must get further off,’ said the elder, in so guarded an undertone that it could not have been heard six feet away. | ‘‘ It won’t do to follow the trail, for we shall meet Azim.” ~ We will pick our way around the rocks until we are a hundred feet or so further off, and then wait.’’ | ~ But if that warrior is still searching for us, he will hear us moving about. ’’ ‘‘ Not if we are careful: come !’’ She reached out in the gloom and laid her hand on the arm of her sister, who was in the act of stepping forward, when both drew back, for once more the inevitable Apache appeared. He was returning over the trail, as if sus- pecting he had passed the fugitive for whom he was searching. If such was his conclusion, he must be aware that the single woman (it will be remem- bered that he had not seen Mrs. Bozeman) had eluded him by stepping aside from the path, and was doubtless crouching somewhere near by. Suppose in prosecuting his search, he struck upon the spot where the two were standing, hoping that he would pass them? In that event, they held their rifles at call, and the reader does not need to be reminded that both knew how to turn them to the best account. But fortunately, at least for the Apache, he held no suspicion, for he glided in front of them like a shadow, with no hesitation or halting, and was instantly lost to view. Waiting but a moment, Mrs. Bozeman said : Come ; let us use the path while we have the chance.” Without pausing for any protest, she stepped out upon it and hurried deeper into the foothills, while Miss Warren kept near her, continually look- ing around, and with the feeling strong upon her that this course which Eomichbooks a 2) (Eo)