Once more the detachment gathered near the ruins of the Arnold home,
and began preparations for returning to Whipple. The remains of the
dead wife and mother were lifted from beneath the charred timbers and
deposited in a grave near by. While the burial was taking place, the
two scouts, Weaver and Cooler, were absent, looking for the Apache
trail. Day was dawning, and as it was probable when they returned that
the command could start, I ordered the horses fed from the loose
forage scattered about, and the men to prepare their breakfast.
The scouts returned as the men were dispersing from their meal, and
Cooler placed in my hand a dainty lock of flaxen hair, wound around
the middle with a strand of the same.
"I found it," said the scout, "beside the ravine yonder, a little more
than two miles from here. The young miss is alive, and dropped it for
a 'sign.' The redskins all left in that direction."
Whatever Brenda's three cousins may have lacked in education and
cultivation, they wanted nothing in affection. They gathered about the
little tress, took it daintily in their palms, kissed it again and
again, and moistened it with tears.
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