CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE BOBWHITE'S CALL.
The discovery that Lieutenant Barrows had lent himself to such an enormous crime in the sight of all cowmen as to attempt to poison a herd of cattle, served to keep them all silent as they rode homeward, but around the fire that night their tongues loosened as they discussed it.
They told Hallie Croffut nothing about it, as they wished to save her pain, for as far as any of them knew she was still betrothed to Lieutenant Barrows, who was proving himself an enemy indeed.
"I see how it is, and how easy," said Ted. "They have been following us ever since we have been on the trail, but from a secure distance, generally riding parallel with us, out of sight in coulees, watching us continually."
"But how could they poison our cattle, without our seeing some of them sometimes?" asked Kit.
"Easy enough. Probably there are only two of them, for more would be in the way, and run more risk of being seen."
"But about the poisoning part of it? I don't understand how they could do it."
"That's easy, too. They are probably a day ahead of us all the time, guessing at our probable direction of march. If they guess it wrong, they try it over again, for they are never more than a mile or so away. When they pick out a place where they think we will graze, they scatter the Paris green on the grass for the cattle to lick up. It takes a good-sized dose of the poison to affect so large an animal as a steer, and that is probably why we have not lost more of our stock by that means. They could never get quite enough, that is, the most of them, to kill them. Such as are dead did get enough to make them loco first, and kill them afterward."
"Another thing," said Kit: "We have had several heavy rains in the early morning lately, and that has served to run the poison off."
"I wouldn't wonder, also, if they haven't missed our route several times, and left the Paris green to poison some other herd," said Stella.
"Their salvation, I am convinced, is also due to the peculiar quality of the water they have found to drink. Who knows but that it is a perfect antidote for the Paris green?" said Ben wisely.
"Oh, slush!" interposed Bud. "I reckon ther truth is they haven't begun ter poison in right earnest yet. From ther letter, I would think that they had just received the stuff and were trying it out before they begin the big poisoning stunt. I'll bet Woofer is the chief actor, and that he's just met ther feller what brought ther poison out with him. Having found that it worked on a few o' ther cattle, they'll spread it on thick ahead o' us. An' ther wust part o' it is, thar don't seem no way ter circumvent 'em, onless we go hunt fer 'em, an' put 'em out er business quick."
"Well said, Bud," was Ted's comment. "There's no way of discovering the confounded stuff. We can't go ahead with a microscope and a chemical laboratory to analyze every blade of grass along the route for Paris green. The best we can do is to take our chances and keep going north. But I think we'd better establish outside picket lines which will stay well in advance, and off to the flanks. If it can be done, this system will succeed in at least frightening them off for a while. Everybody prepare to stand extra hours in the saddle."
A line of outriders was established at once, and the herd pushed on, and for several days there were no evidences that any more of the cattle had been poisoned.
They were nearing the river, as they could tell by the gradual sloping of the land to the east, and the flatness of the country.
One afternoon about four o'clock Brock, one of the hired cow-punchers, came riding into camp as fast as his horse would run, and fell out of the saddle. He had been shot through the leg, and was almost insensible from loss of blood when he succeeded in getting in.
When he was able to speak, he said to Ted:
"I was riding picket about two miles off to the west. As I topped a hill I saw a body of men about a quarter of a mile away. With my glasses I saw that they were soldiers, and wondered what they were doing so far from a post, as there isn't one nearer here than Fort Felton."
"Soldiers, eh?" asked Ted. "Cavalry or infantry?"
"Cavalry."
"How many of them were there?"
"I should say about fifty."
"Did they see you?"
"They must have seen me, for I saw them brought to a halt, and remain that way for several minutes, while the officer was looking at me through his binoculars. After they had satisfied themselves as to what I was, they galloped to the north, and I soon lost sight of them behind the hills."
"I wonder what troops are doing out here. I haven't heard of any trouble with the Indians, and there is no gang of outlaws this far north that it would take troops to subdue."
Stella looked at Ted significantly, and he read her thoughts.
Could it be that Lieutenant Barrows had been able to use his influence, or his cunning, to bring a detachment of troops so far away from the post to attend to his own personal affairs, while ostensibly on the government's business?
He dismissed the thought, however, as soon as it was conceived. It appeared to be too ridiculous.
However, they were all on their guard now. They realized that there were others on the range, and they were aware that a powerful and vindictive enemy was close at hand.
"How did you come to receive the shot in the leg?" asked Ted, breaking the silence.
"As I turned to ride to camp to report what I had seen, something moved down in the coulee. At first I thought it might be a wolf or coyote, but as I drove the pony into it a shot was fired, and it got me in the leg. I didn't wait for any more, as I did not know how many men there might be, and I deemed it wise to get to camp alive with the news."
"The poisoners!" was Ted's brief comment.
"They've got us pretty well hemmed in," said Ben. "They mean business."
"Yes, but we'll break through, and beat them yet," said Ted, with conviction.
But they were a long ways from being out of danger yet as they were soon to know.
That evening Ted, accompanied by Stella and Hallie, rode out of camp. Ted wanted to spy out the land in advance to see if there were any signs of the troops and the poisoners.
They were riding along out of sight of the camp, talking cheerfully and feeling perfectly safe, when they were brought to a sudden stop by a command, "Halt!" given in a gruff tone.
They stared in amazement when they saw that they were surrounded by a detachment of soldiers, and that the command had been given by a sergeant. A dozen carbines were leveled at them.
"What's the meaning of this?" asked Ted, with a smile.
"Orders for your arrest," answered the sergeant gruffly. "Disarm the man."
Several soldiers stepped to Ted's side, and the one who attempted to take Ted's rifle from its boot on the saddle received a kick on the chest that sent him sprawling on his back.
But as the kick was delivered, and before he could do anything further in his defense, Ted was struck a ringing blow on the head with the butt of a carbine, and was dragged from the saddle.
As he went down he heard a shout of alarm.
"Don't shoot!" he heard the sergeant cry. "Let her go. We don't want her, anyway."
Then Ted knew that Stella had escaped, to carry the news back to the boys, and to bring assistance.
"I wish the Indian girl had been along," the sergeant said to one of the men. "We'd have all we wanted, then."
"Oh, we'll get her later," was the reply.
Ted was hoisted to his feet in no gentle manner, and then he discovered that his arms had been bound. Sitting on her pony was Hallie Croffut, pale but calm, regarding the scene with an expression of contempt.
"What is the meaning of this, Brown?" she asked, addressing the sergeant
"Orders from a s'perior officer, miss," said the sergeant apologetically, saluting respectfully.
"Well, you and your superior officer will be sorry for this day's work when the colonel hears of it," was all she said.
The sergeant saluted again, and ordered the men to march.
Ted was
lifted into his saddle, and, in the center of the detachment, was marched away.
They rode thus for several miles, when, in the gathering dusk, Ted saw ahead of him a small cabin.
In a few moments they were in front of it, and Ted and Hallie were assisted to the ground and bade to enter.
In the center of the room, seated at a table, was Lieutenant Barrows, who scowled at Ted, but hadn't the courage, apparently, to look at his fiancée.
Hallie Croffut did not address him, but he felt the glance of scorn she gave him, for he winced under it.
"For what am I arrested?" asked Ted coolly.
"You will discover when your trial comes," was the cold reply.
"And why have you dared to detain me?" asked Hallie.
"Your father's orders, Miss Croffut," he said almost inaudibly.
"I believe that you are lying. If you are, Heaven help you, for there is not a decent man in all the army who will not hound you to disgrace. To think that you would countenance this outrage against your colonel's daughter is almost past belief. But now I know you for what you are, you cur."
Barrows went white as a sheet as she said this, and his lip curled back from his teeth, like those of an angry dog, as he half rose to his feet with a gesture as if he would strike her. But he thought better of it, and sank back.
"Brown, take them away," he said to the sergeant. "I will hold you personally responsible for them."
The sergeant saluted, and, catching Ted by the elbow, marched him into the next room.
Hallie Croffut started to follow him, when she was stayed by Barrows.
"Hallie, won't you come back with me?" he pleaded. "If you will, I will release Strong and let the rest of it go."
"I wouldn't trust you out of my sight," said the girl. "Oh, how happy I am that I have found you out in time. You are the most miserable specimen of a man I ever heard of, and to think that you have called yourself an officer and a gentleman. But this is the last for you. If you were brave enough you ought to kill yourself to save the army from the disgrace of having had you in it."
"Curse you!" he cried, in impotent rage. "If you were not a woman I would knock you down."
"If you feel like it, don't let so small a matter that I am a girl and your colonel's daughter interfere with your pleasure. Strike me!"
But Barrows only stared at her with a white face, and with a muttered curse left the room.
"This way, miss," said the sergeant. She entered the room into which Ted had been taken, but he was not there.
In the middle of the floor was an open trapdoor.
"I must ask you to go down there," said the sergeant. "You will find a ladder. You will be safe, and it is not for long. We start for the post soon, I am told."
Hallie made no reply, but did as she was bid.
The cellar was as dark as a pocket, and she could see absolutely nothing as her feet touched the earth floor.
But she found a box, and sat down upon it. The trap was closed, a bolt shot in it, and she was in Stygian darkness.
She was terribly frightened at first, but there were no rats in the cellar, which she had at first feared, and she fell to thinking what it all meant. Surely the army must have gone entirely mad that she, Hallie Croffut, its pet, should be under arrest in a dark and musty cellar.
But presently her heart stopped beating. In a far corner she heard a faint noise.
Something else was in the place with her. What could it be? Where was Ted? What did it all mean?
Then she heard a groan, and an uneasy movement.
"Who is it?" Hallie asked, in a trembling voice.
"Is that you, Hallie?" It was Ted's voice.
"Yes, it is I. Where are you?"
"Over here in the corner. Those brutes threw me down the ladder, and it stunned me. Come here. Perhaps you can untie my hands. Then we will see what chance there is for escape."
Ted was soon released, and, climbing the ladder, tried the trapdoor, but found it securely fastened.
There had been no sound above them for some time, and Ted came to the conclusion that the soldiers were gone.
He was right. When the prisoners had been thrust into the cellar, Barrows and his men rode away, leaving them alone.
Hours dragged along in the dark, and they scarcely spoke to one another, both lost in their thoughts.
Suddenly Ted started up. Outside he heard a whistle, and he listened for it to be repeated. It was the whistle of the bobwhite. He knew that there were no quail in this region at this time of the year. He knew, too, that it was an Indian signal which Stella and Singing Bird had used between them. Could it be that Stella was outside, and that she was signaling the house, and thinking it occupied, did not dare come to it? He answered it as well as he could, knowing, however, that the sound would not get beyond the cellar.
For several minutes the whistling continued, then stopped. What if they had gone away?
After a long time, it seemed, he heard a stealthy noise overhead. Some one was crawling through the window. Then there was a light step overhead.
"Ted! Hallie! Where are you?" It was Stella calling to them, and they both raised their voices in a joyous shout. Then the bolt slipped, and the trap was raised.
"Come up out of there," cried Stella, "unless you like it. Singing Bird and I started out after you. I met her on the way, and she trailed you here. She has just started back for the boys."
* * *
CHAPTER XXXV.
A DUEL WITH LARIATS.
Outside it was night, and beyond the clearing the woods were dark. Both Ted's and Hallie's horses were gone, and it would be impossible for them to start back toward the camp without them.
"We'd better hide in the woods until morning," said Stella. "Singing Bird will guide the boys here. Besides, we do not know when that brave warrior Barrows will return with his soldiers."
"That is a good idea," said Ted, and they crossed the clearing to the woods, and found a place of concealment from which they could see all that took place at the house.
The night was far advanced, and the girls were sleeping on a couch of dried pine needles, which Ted had gathered for them.
Ted was on watch to shield them from harm, and to drive away the animals of the night.
He was half asleep himself, sitting with his back to a tree with his head on his arms, which were crossed on his knees.
An unusual sound brought him to his senses instantly, and he was listening intently.
He heard the sound of horses' feet, and the subdued rumble of men talking.
There were only two horses, and they were coming on uncertainly.
Evidently their riders did not know their way, and were feeling along in the dark, which was intense.
"It ought to be along here somewhere."
It was the voice of Woofer.
"Well, I hope it is," said another voice, "I'm tired of this night riding. When did the boss say he'd be here?"
"Early in ther mornin'. He's goin' ter make an attack on ther cow camp ter-night, an' what he don't kill he's goin' ter bring here, an' stampede ther cattle an' scatter them all over ther range."
Woofer laughed as he said it.
"I don't care much what he does," he continued, "if he'll only turn over ther Injun gal ter me. That'll be ernuff fer you an' me, I reckon."
"Then what's he goin' ter do?"
"He's goin' ter take that Croffut gal, he's jest crazy about her, an' hike her off ter ther coast, an' put her aboard a private yacht he's got there, an' that'll be ther last o' her in this community."
"What's goin' ter happen ter ther rest o' them?"
"He's got er nice little deal fixed up fer Ted Strong. He wuz tellin' me thet if I wanted it, ther job was mine. I reckon I'll take it," and Woofer laughed heartily.
"You're ter be ther executioner, eh?"
"That's about ther size o' it."
"An' yer hate yer job, eh?" This was greeted with uproarious laughter.
"Like a kid hat
es candy."
"What's it goin' ter be?"
"A little rope play, I reckon."
"That's yer long suit. Hello, what's this? Here we are at the cabin."
Ted heard the men dismount and enter the cabin, and then their voices roaring with rage.
"They've escaped, darn 'em!" they heard Woofer shout. "Hey, there, turn out an' hunt 'em! Ther boss will be wild when he finds this out."
"Hunt fer 'em nothin', in this dark? Yer wouldn't find 'em in a blue moon. Why, it was all we could do ter find ther cabin."
"Well, they can't git far away. We'll find 'em in ther mornin'."
They retired to the cabin again, and slammed the door.
"Did you hear that?"
Stella's hand was on Ted's arm, and she whispered to him in an awed sort of voice.
"You awake?" he said. "Yes, I heard it, but don't let it worry you. They won't get us very soon."
They heard Hallie sobbing quietly.
"What's the matter, dear?" asked Stella. "Don't be frightened."
"Suppose he does," sobbed Hallie.
"Suppose who does what?" asked Stella, throwing her arms around her friend.
"Suppose Lieutenant Barrows does get me and takes me away on a boat. Oh, I shall kill myself!"
"Never fear," said Ted. "He won't do that. Why, the whole army would be up in arms and after him before he got fifty miles."
Hallie took comfort in this, and slept again, while Ted and Stella remained on guard.
As the night wore on, they both became very sleepy, and they must have dropped into a doze, for when they awoke at the sound of a loud laugh, the sun was shining brightly, and they were surrounded by soldiers, and Woofer was looking down at them with a sneering laugh.
"Jest like ther babes in ther woods," he shouted, and the soldiers laughed with him.
Ted was on his feet in an instant, feeling for his revolver, but it was not in its accustomed place, and he suddenly remembered that it had been taken from him by the soldiers the night before.
"Whar's ther lootenant?" asked Woofer. "He'd be glad ter see this tablow."
"He's gone out inter ther woods ter walk his mad off. When he got within strikin' distance o' ther cow camp last night his sand run out, and he started back. Then when he found that his birds had flown that was ther last kick what sent him down."
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