COMRADES AGAIN.
Actuated by his resolution to learn the real meaning of the signal fire
seen on the crest of the ridge, Warren Starr pushed on in the face of
the fact that every rod in the way of advance increased his own peril.
Studying the contour of the country, and carefully making his
calculations, he was able to tell when he drew near the scene of his
stirring encounter with the war party of Sioux. Deeming it unsafe to
ride farther, he drew his pony aside, and, dismounting, led him among
the rocks and trees, until he was beyond sight of anyone passing over
the open country. He did not forget that a plain trail was left, which
would serve as an unerring guide to those hostiles who might come upon
it, but that was one of the risks of the undertaking which could not be
avoided.
"Now, Jack, my boy, I want you to stay right here till I come back
again," he said, in parting from the animal. "You have been faithful and
have served me well, and I can depend upon you, for you are sure to do
the best you can."
There could be no doubt on that point, and without any more delay he
left the creature and began toiling up the ascent, his Winchester firmly
in his grasp, and as alert as ever for the sudden appearance of his
enemies.
An astounding surprise was at hand.
He had penetrated but a short distance from his starting point when he
became aware that someone else was in the vicinity. He caught only a
flitting glimpse of a person, who, descrying him at the same instant,
whisked behind a bowlder for protection. Warren was equally prompt, and
the two dodged out of each other's sight in a twinkling.
"If there is only one Indian," reflected the young rancher, "I ought to
be able to take care of myself--great Heavens!"
The exclamation was caused by the sight of Tim Brophy, who stepped from
behind the shelter and walked toward him.
Young Starr was astounded, and believed for a minute that his friend had
been put forward as a decoy, and that his captors were immediately
behind him. But that dread was removed the next moment by the appearance
of the young Irishman, who, advancing jauntily, called out in his cheery
voice:
"It's all roight, me boy! None of the spalpeens are here, and it's
mesilf that would like to shake ye by the hand."
That the two warmly grasped hands and greeted each other need not be
stated. Even then Warren could only murmur:
"Why, Tim, this is the greatest surprise of my life! Where in the name
of the seven wonders did you come from? and how came you to give them
the slip?"
"It was that which helped me out," replied the other, holding up his
clenched fist; "it b'ats all other wippons whin ye git into a tight
corner."
Not until the fellow had told his story could the other comprehend the
amazing truth. Then he saw how a marvellous combination of
circumstances had helped him, and how cleverly the quick-witted youth
had turned them to account.
"I must shake hands with you again," responded the delighted Warren. "I
never knew of anything more remarkable."
"Ye didn't think ye could give me any hilp," chuckled Tim, "but ye did
it all the same."
"How?"
"Haven't I told ye that the little circus ye opened out on the plain
drew away all the spalpeens but the single one lift to look after me?
And don't ye understand that ye made things so interesting that he
forgot me until I reminded him I was there by giving him a welt under
the ear that he won't forgit in a dog's age?"
"I see; but I never dreamed of any such result as that."
"Nor did I, but it came all the same, and sarved me as will as if ye had
fixed up the whole business."
Noticing the strange weapon in his hand Warren referred to it, and then
received the whole story.
"Well, it beats anything I ever heard of. Jack isn't far off, and we can
use him as we did before."
"And may I ask what ye are doing here so close to the spalpeens, whin ye
ought to be miles away?"
"I set out to learn whether that fire whose smoke we saw was started by
father or not. I didn't think so when you and I were talking it over,
but can't rid myself of the suspicion till I find out for myself."
Tim nodded his head, and said:
"Yis; it was Mr. Starr that did it."
"How can you know that?"
"I've been there, and found out," was the surprising reply.
"Where are he and mother now?"
"Can't say; I'm looking for them. Whin I give the spalpeens the slip I
did the best travelling I knew how, and without thinking of anything but
getting away as quick as I could I coom right onto the spot where the
fire had been burning. It hadn't gone out yit, but it was so nearly so
that it give no smoke. Looking around it did not take me long to l'arn
that two horses had been there----"
"They had three with them, as you told me."
"But they have only two now. I wouldn't have been sartin of the matter
if I hadn't seen the print of yer mother's small shoe in the snow, and
while I was looking I obsarved that of Dot, no bigger than Cinderella
hersilf might have made."
Warren was profoundly interested, and tears dimmed his eyes.
"Was there no man with father?"
"I couldn't see any footprints except his."
"Then it has been as you said: Plummer was killed by the Sioux. But
surely you noticed the direction they took?"
"I did that same, and was following their trail whin I cotched sight of
yersilf among the trees, and coom nigh shooting ye before asking for an
inthrodooction."
"Then they have passed nigh this spot?" asked the startled son.
Tim partly turned and pointed behind him.
"Right beyant is the thracks made by thimsilves and their animals, for
the ground won't admit of their riding."
"I wish it were otherwise," remarked Warren thoughtfully, "for I have
had the hope that they might be so near the fort as to be safe. They are
not, but we ought to join them quite soon. But, Tim," added his friend,
as if alarmed by a new fear, "the Sioux must have learned of your flight
long ago, and are now on your trail."
"I must say that I'm forced to agree wid ye," was the reply of the
Irishman, spoken as though the question was of trifling import.
"It won't do for us to stay here. They are liable to appear at any
moment," and the alarmed youth glanced apprehensively around, as if he
expected to see the whole party of hostiles burst through upon them.
"Jack is strong enough to carry us a long way," he added, "and since he
is close at hand I can lead him out on the open plain, where we shall
gain such a good start that there will be little chance of their
overtaking us."
"No doubt ye are corrict."
"Then let's do it without throwing away another moment."
He turned hurriedly to carry out his own purpose, when his comrade laid
his hand on his arm and detained him.
"I think, Warry," he said, in a low voice, "that ye've forgot one
matter--yer fayther, mither, and Dot."
"Gracious! how came I to do that? Here I set out to hunt for them, and
when they were as good as found I turn my back upon them, and think only
of my own safety."
"Ye are excoosable, since ye have been upsit by the thrifling
occurrences that have been going on this day."
"Take me to the spot where you left their trail," added Warren, with
unusual excitement, "and we'll never leave it until we join them; we
shall escape or die together."
The youths moved like those who knew that the question of life and death
must be settled within a few minutes.