Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

134 glance to show them where the horses of the party they were trailing had ar- rived at the top of the bank. “Now we're off,” cried Ben. “I don’t believe the red rascals will try any more tricks just now.” It was nearly dark, even on the open prairie, and before many miles had been traversed they were forced to halt. They rested their horses for several hours, until the moon arose sufficiently to allow them to travel, and then went faster than before. At length, just as the moon began to pale and faint streaks of gray light were appearing along the eastern horizon, the trail left the open plain and struck out toward the hills. ‘“ Ride easy now,’ said Ben warning- ly. “ We may come upon ’em at any time.” They rode along for several rods farther and left their horses at the mouth of a gulch, up which the trail led. The gulch soon broadened into a wide valley, and not far from its en- trance Phil caught sight of a thin col- umn of smoke lazily rising from a campfire. About the fire were three figures lying as still as logs. ‘ All sound asleep,” whispered Ben with a chuckle. “ See! that’s Rafferty —the one without any blanket. By George! how easy we could pick the two rascals off. An’ I would, if it ‘twarn’t fur that report we’ve got ter make to th’ cap’n.” | Ben shook his head and remained thoughtfully silent for a moment. “TI tell ye what le’s do,” he said. “ You stay here, an’ cover them two fellers, so’s ter pop ’em over if I should waken ’em, an’ I’ll creep up, cut Raf’s bonds, an’ then we'll all light out.” Phil had no better plan to propose, although he considered this a very risky piece of business, so he allowed Ben to depart in silence. He sheltered himself behind a boul- der, and with both rifles (Ben had left his behind because it would be in his way) he thought he could cover the re- THE ARGOSY. treat of Ben and the Indian’s prisoner successfully. Ben crept toward the smoldering campfire, being very careful of every step, yet covering the distance with considerable despatch. In three min- utes he was kneeling beside the pros- trate Rafferty and loosening the thong which fastened his hands. Rafferty had doubtless been unable to sleep very soundly because of the discomfort of his bonds, which were drawn cruelly tight, so he was awake before Ben touched him. Neither spoke a word, nor hardly dared breathe, so intense was their excitement. suddenly, just as Ben had succeeded in unbinding the Irishman’s wrists, one of the Indians stirred in his sleep, rolled over toward the fire, and sat up. For one instant he stared at Ben in speechless amazement, and then with a yell sprang to his feet, a long hunting knife clutched in his hand. But Ben was not to be caught nap- ping. He was on his feet, too, but in the confusion dropped his knife. The yell of the Indian roused his companion, but before either of the red men had got their wits to working the sharp report of a rifle came from among the rocks near the entrance to the val- ley, and the first Indian dropped back upon the earth. Another yell burst from the dusky warrior’s lips, and was echoed by his companion, as they both sprang up and dashed away from the campfire, running like deers for the shelter of the boulders further down the valley. Evidently the Indian who had stopped Phil Boyd’s shot had not been very seriously wounded. Ben rapidly stripped off the remain- der of Rafferty’s bonds, and helped him to his feet and on the back of his own horse which was picketed near by with the two Indian ponies. These Ben ‘“-gathered in” also, and then hurried back to the mouth of the defile where Phil was awaiting them. ‘Took him right in the shoulder, COMME DOO SS) eo