Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-06-05

SIOWb Saul.
1--WE have come
81 see you have" Jim answered.
twisting around in his chair m 90,
look at Storm, as she Law in a.
deerskin stretching and gaming anr
looking around the room. HAVING
just awoke.
Jim Dane was shrewd man at driy.
ing bargain, and it took him only =
few moments to tx the thing up in his
mind. The baby, he guessed, had been
stolen from some white family, who
would soon track the Grows to his cabin.
and if he kept it they would probably
be willing to give him some money for
his kindness or trouble. Money was
Jim's weakness. He would do ANYTHING
for money-except work and quit drink.
ing. He had plenty of cows ard bush.
els of potatoes, and nine children was
not so very much worse than eight. 81
it would do no harm to speculate on the
little girl.
"Now, what do you fellows want here
at this time of nightP" Jim asked.
White pappooser' answered one old
Carbon. motioning toward Storm.
You must think I'm blind. | saw
her long ago. What about herp" said
Jim.
One of the Indians rose up close to
Jim and began TO speak.
BRAVES been on war path; took bean
many white liers' scalps; made blood
run plenty; kept pappoose. How much
will Bad Eye give us for-Ught' This
last exclamation was occasioned bv n
violent kick In the stomach from Jim,s
heavy boot.
Set down, then, and don't swing
your arms, and don't call me Bad
Eye" Jim Dane growled.
The old Carrion took his seat again:
but his eyes danced like two Goals of
fire on springs, and there was a smoky
look on his face. Another Grow took
up the conversation.
what viii white man give us for
pappooseP"
well, don't know. What do you
wantP Jim asked, speculatively.
Fire water" answered the Grow.
Jim Dane rose up with all the dignity
of an offended King. II they had asked
for anything else in his possession.
possibly he would have considered the
barter-but Whisky!-Red Eye!-Lay-
me-under-the-tabl BILE How absurd a
thing it was to ask Jim for that
You red sneak thieves. Jim shouted,
''you stole that kid somewheres. You
are liable to be shot. I'll take care of
her, and you get out of here mighty
quick.
Jim grasped Storm and put her under
one arm, while she screamed at the ton
of her voice. The Crows jumped ND and
went for jim in a business way; but he
was powerful man and had knocked
one or two of them down before they
got him cernered At that point Martha
and Bill came in from the barn. They
were powerful aids and the trio soon
drove the Crows out into the night. Jim
Numbered from the door: Now be off,
or I'll set the dogs on you" They stole
away in the darkness.
Quietness being restored, Storm was
by the family. Danes, big
and little, great and small, gathered
about the new conner. Martha Dane
was clearly out of patience.
OiiAs Idb Ou col I'll dO YOU WduI WIFI
that brat? Amt you got enough of your
ownp Jim. you grow fooler and fooler
every day." said Mrs. Dane spitefully.
Martha, dry up!' said Jim earnestly.
and she said no more, as the eye
trouble.
Storm was given bountiful supply
of bread and milk, and put to bed-the
first real bed she had ever slept in. Also
the Dane family retired to their respec-
tive sleeping places, and quietness and
darkness lay like a dream on the whole
house.
Jim Dane had slept some two hours,
and was turning into more comfortable
position, when he happened to open his
eyes. He saw something that made
him jump up first on his elbow and then
On his feet. A red glare came through
the cabin window that had no special
right to be there, as it had never been
there before.
Then clatter of hoofs came thunder
ing over the prairie and the voice of
white man cried hoarsely at the door:
Fire! Jim Dane, get upr'
Jim was out through the door in
twinkle. He saw his own barn already
falling to pieces, half consumed by
flames. The pitiful neigh of horse in
trouble sounded shrilly through the air,
and he saw his bay mare, Jessie, F."
standing with great waves of fire rolling
about her. Half frantic he rushed to
save her; but she fell into the whiring
embers before he reached the burning
Settlers, who had seen the reflection
Of the fire on the sky, came from their
homes miles away.
Jim Dane told them that the enraged
Crows must have fired the building and
when it was found that nothing could be
done to save the property, he suggested
that they help him find them. But the
settlers, who had little love for Dane,
would not go. Jim's face was very
pale as he said, Pm going"
He went TO the pasture and saddled
large black colt; then to the house and
secured rifle and ammunition; then to
the shed, where he unclaimed two large
dogs. Around the burning building he
rode once or twice, and the dogs accom-
panied him with their noses on the
ground. The Crow trail was soon
struck, and dogs and rider sped away
like the wind.
"Ouw-Ouw! Ouw--Ouwm came in
modulations over the rolling
prairie from the baying dogs, that told
the trail was hot.
A few lingering settlers were grouped
together on their horses near the fire.
Az they parted to return to their re-