Long, broad, shallow
dips or basins lay between broad, wide, far-extending, yet slight,
upheavals. Through the shallows turned and twisted dozens of dry
arroyos, all gradually trending toward the Platte,--the drainage system
of the frontier. Five miles out began the ascent to the taller divides
and ridges that gradually, and with many an intervening dip, rose to the
watershed between the Platte and the score of tiny tributaries that
united to form the South Cheyenne. It was over Moccasin, or Ten Mile,
Ridge, as it was often called, and close to the now abandoned stage
road, Ray's daring little command had disappeared from view toward eight
o'clock. It was at least two, possibly three, miles east of the
stage-road that the solitary courier had first been sighted, and when
later seen by the major and certain others of the swift gathering
spectators, he was heading for Frayne, though still far east of the
highroad.
And now Mrs. Ray, on the north piazza, with Webb by her side and Nannie
Blake, Mrs. Dade and Esther in close attendance, was briefly telling the
major what she had seen up stream. One glance through Sandy's glass had
told her the little fellow had not watched in vain.
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