Molly McDonald / A Tale of the Old Frontier

ect the newly discovered Cimarron trail leading to Santa Fé across the desert, and, purely by courtesy, officially termed Fort Devere, he naturally considered it perfectly sa

e was no time in the history of that country utterly devoid of peril from young raiders, usually aided and abetted by outcast whites. However, the Santa Fé route, by this date, had become a well-travelled trail, pr

ation time (she was attending Sunnycrest School, on the Hudson), she made her home with an aunt in Connecticut. This year the aunt was in Europe, not expecting to return until fall, and the father had hopefully counted on having the girl with him once again in Kentucky. Then came his sudden, unexpected transfer west, and the final decision to have her join him there. Why not? If she remained the sa

heard merely rumors of the prevailing condition through tarrying hunters, and possibly an occasional army courier, yet soon realized the gravity of the situation because of the almost total cessation of travel by way of the Cimarron and the growing insolence of the surrounding Comanches. Details from the small garrison were, under urgent orders from headquarters at Fort Wallace, kept constantly scouting as far south as the fork of the Red River, and then west to the mountains. Squads from the single cavalry company guarded the few caravans venturing still

on her long journey. What could he do? What immediate steps could he hope to take for her protection? Ordinarily he would not have hesitated, but now a decision was not so easily made. Of his command scarcely thirty men remained at Devere, a mere infantry guard, together with a small squad of cavalrymen, retained for courier service. His only remaining commissi

een with June grass to the northward, while in every other direction extended an interminable sand-desert, ever shifting beneath wind blasts, presenting as desolate a scene as eye could witness. The yellow flood of the river, still swollen by melting mountain snow, was a hundred feet from the stockade gate, and

hind them, smoking silently or moodily discussing the situation. McDonald was florid and heavily built, his gray mustache hanging heavily

st as well you stopped your daughter from coming out to th

ed the other moodily. "

u write when you spoke about doing so? Do

ald g

her I had no conception of what it was going to be like out here. There was not a rumor of Indian trouble a month ago, and when the tribes did break out it was too late for me to ge

arkness through the open

she had been headed off long ago. Have n't heard you mention the mat

ll she would leav

r at Fort Dodge. She would be in no danger travelling alone for

far as

er g

e lower Arkansas yet. The troops from Dodge are scouting the country no

f them dough-boys. The devils can break through any time they get ready-you know that. At thi

ald, jumping to his feet. "I 'd

back if that was possible. Peyton would look aft

o send? Do you chance to know an enlisted man out yonder who wo

head on one hand, sil

at Leavenworth were mostly rough-necks-seven of them in the guard-house to-night. Our best men are

can't

bbed his lame

could only ride, but I

re; it would cost

ut through the door. Away in the darkness unseen sentinels call

low who came in with despatches from Union

was down river with th

up and pac

ride if he had n't been the right sort." He strode over to the door, without waiting an answer. "Here,

glow of light, and a gl

he orderly replied. "Said he 'd been

t. Rout him out, will you; tell him th

as if on a pivot

" began McDonald, but Trave

, see here, Dan, it's your daughter that's to be looked after, and therefore I want you to size this man up for yoursel

s. In the silence a coyote howled mournfully not far away; then a shadow app

the orderly, and stood aside