A STARTLING SURPRISE.
We must not forget that young Warren Starr and Tim Brophy have an
important part to play in the incidents we have set out to relate.
We left them in the wooded rocky section, where they had spent the night
together in the rude shelter erected a year before when on their hunting
excursions. They were awakened by the frenzied cry of the young
Irishman's horse, and appeared on the scene just in time to save the
pony from a grizzly bear, who made things exceedingly lively for the
young gentlemen themselves.
But relieved of their peril, they sat down like sensible persons to make
their morning meal from the lunch brought thither by Tim. They ate
heartily, never pausing until the last particle of food was gone. Then
they rose like giants refreshed with new wine.
"Now," said Warren, "we will mount the ponies, and instead of making for
the fort will try to find the folks."
"I'm wid ye there, as I remarked previously," was the response of the
brave young rancher, who was ever ready to risk his life for those whom
he loved.
"It will be an almost hopeless hunt, for father could give me only a
general idea of the course he meant to take, and we are likely to go
miles astray."
"We shall have to depind on Providence to hilp us, though it may be the
folks are in no naad of our assistance."
"I pray that such may be the case," was the fervent response of Warren,
accompanied by a sigh of misgiving. "I think we shall be able to take
care of ourselves, but father is in a bad fix with mother and Dot on his
hands. I hope Plummer has joined them."
"He niver will do the same," remarked Tim gravely.
"Why do you say that?"
"He has been killed by the spalpeens, for if he hadn't, he would have
showed himsilf before we lift the ranch."
"It looks that way, but you cannot be certain."
"I wish I couldn't, but he must have larned of thim being so near the
house as soon as mesilf, or very nearly so, and he would have been back
before me. That he didn't come is proof to my mind that he niver
will--ye may depind on the same."
This brief conversation took place while the youths were saddling and
mounting their horses. They made certain that everything was secure, and
then, carefully guiding their animals among bowlders to the open
prairie, paused a moment to decide upon the best course to take.
To the northwest stretched the white plain in gentle undulations, and in
the clear sunlight, miles away in the horizon, rose the dark line of a
wooded ridge, similar to the others described, and which are so common
in that section of the country. They agreed that the best course was to
head toward it, for it seemed to them that the rancher had probably
crossed the same at some point, or if he had not already done so, would
ride in that direction. Possibly, too, the father, despite the wishes he
had expressed, would suspect such a movement on the part of his son. If
so, the probability of their meeting was increased.
The air was clear, sharp, and bracing, with the sun shining from an
unclouded sky. It was a time to stir the blood, and had not the young
ranchers been oppressed by anxiety for their friends, they would have
bounded across the plain in the highest possible spirits. The ponies,
having no such fear, struck into a swinging gallop of their own accord,
which continued without interruption until more than half the
intervening distance was passed. All this time the youths were carefully
scanning the wooded ridge, as it rose more distinctly to view; for they
could not forget that they were more likely to meet hostiles than
friends in that section, and approaching it across an open plain, must
continue conspicuous objects to whatever Sioux were there.
"Tim," said Warren, as they rode easily beside each other, "unless I am
much mistaken, a fire is burning on the ridge."
"Where?"
"Almost directly ahead, but a little to the left; tell me whether you
can make it out."
The Irishman shaded his eyes with one hand, for the glare of the sun on
the snow was almost blinding, and after a moment's scrutiny, said:
"Ye are right; there is a fire up there; not much smoke does the same
give out, but it is climbing up the clear sky as straight as a mon's
finger."
"I take it that it means Indians; it seems to me they are all around
us."
"I agraas wid ye, but s'pose it is a fire that yer fayther has started
himsilf."
Warren shook his head.
"He would not do so imprudent a thing as that."
"But he moight have in his eye that we'd be looking for something of the
same."
Still his friend was unconvinced.
"He could not be certain that it would be noted by us, while he must
have known that it was sure to attract the attention of the Sioux. No;
I cannot be mistaken."
"Do ye want to pass it by widout finding out its maaning?"
"If it is father who has kindled the blaze, and he is looking for us, he
will find some way of telling us more plainly----"
"Do ye obsarve?" asked Tim, in some excitement.
Beyond question the approach of the two young horsemen had produced an
effect. The faint column of smoke which, until that moment, had climbed
perpendicularly up the sky, now showed a wavy appearance, vibrating from
side to side in graceful undulations, as though it were a ribbon swayed
by human hands. But Warren, instead of accepting this as did his
companion, regarded it as more indicative of danger. The Sioux that were
responsible for the ascending vapor were aware of the approach of the
couple, and were signalling the fact to others whose whereabouts was
unknown to the whites.
"Do ye moind," said Tim, "that two months since, whin we were hunting
along the Big Cheyenne and got separated from him and Plummer, he let
us know where they were in jist that way?"
It was a fact. Precisely the same signal had been used by the parent to
apprise his son and companion where he and Plummer were, though in that
instance it was the employe who adopted the method.
He was inclined for a few seconds to agree with his companion; but there
was something in the prominence of the artifice, and the certainty that
it would be noted by unfriendly eyes, that caused him to dismiss the
belief. Enough doubt, however, had been injected into his mind to bring
the desire for further investigation.
"We will ride straight toward it, as though we intended to go to the
camp or signal fire as it may be, but will turn aside before reaching
the ridge, so as to avoid the trap that may be set for us. I had an
experience yesterday afternoon something like that before you joined
me."
Strange it was that the couple, who, despite their youth, had learned so
much of border life, forgot to keep watch of the rear, while giving so
much attention to the front. Singular as it may seem, they had not
looked behind them for the preceding half hour. The sight of the signal
fire ahead so absorbed their interest that they neglected this obvious
precaution; nor did it once occur to them that if the smoke was sent
into the sky by hostiles, who meant it for the guidance of confederates,
those same confederates were likely to be to the rear of them.
Such was the fact, and the knowledge came to the friends in the most
startling manner conceivable, being in the shape of several rifle
bullets which whistled about their ears. Then, when they glanced
affrightedly around, they saw fully a dozen Sioux bucks, all well
mounted, bearing down upon them at full speed.
They had issued from the rocky section behind them, and ridden to this
perilous position without the youths once dreaming of the fact until, as
may be said, the hostiles were literally upon them.