The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-07-14

man, and possessed the
BEN BERRY. dull black eyes and
heavy countenance
characteristic of many of the male citizens of
Indian Territory. Near their masters huge
feet two lank, gaunt hounds slept lazily.
Ben Berry had that air of Incidence and
stolidity often found in Indian character. His
face, however just now betrayed degree of
expectancy which the tempest's fury had been
inadequate to subdue.
80 Sine Jarvis lowed / could sure look fur
Nat ter night, he muttered to himself, in the
dialect used by the partly educated Indians of
the Sans Bots. " be plumb afeard Their rain
will keep him from comm. An wot er night
fur sech er iob!"
He strobe heavily to the door, swung it
open. and tried to pierce the damp darkness
that en- wrapped the mountains. A fierce gust
swept sheet of rain into his face and upon
the uneven floor, causing the hounds to start
up uneasily.
He closed the door with an oath, and tossed
fresh log on the fireplace before resuming his
former attitude
Scarcely had he reseated himself when his
quick hearing caught a sound foreign to the
drip drip of the rain outside 1t was mans
heavy boots striking the hard, rocky trail lead
ing up 10 the cabin.
!" 1t be Natl be cried, springing up and
hurrying to the door to admit the expected Wis
itor drenched with rain.
I'D erbout gin up lookin' fur yer. Nat"
greeted Berry. 1t is SO all fired down pourin'"
al low Pm done soaked ter Their bone replied
Nat Black, moving rapidly toward the fire.
place, and leaving wet trail. But / was
boun' ter come"
Ben Berry took long stick of wood and
stirred the fire, making the rudy flames leap
upward aud embrace the new log which he had
thrown on.
The hounds got up and shifted at the new
comer's wet legs. as he hurriedly removed his
dripping hat and coat, which he put on the back
of rustic chair before the blaze. Satisfied of
the identity of their old acquaintance, the dogs
went back to their corner, while Nat stationed
himself where his clothes might drip on the
large fat stones before the fireplace
Nat Black was what is called among the In
dams "a quarter blood" being three ourths
white and one-fourth Choctaw.
A person unacquainted with the various
types of mixed bloods" in Indian Territory
would never have guessed from Mats personal
appearance that drop of Choctaw blood
coursed through his veins.
He was small, thin, and active looking, with
pale yellow hair and light mustache. At first
sight he would have been called handsome, but
the small dark eyes and peculiar mouth re-
yesled a restless nature and one Of deep cum
ming
WAL, wot report, Nat?" asked Berry. in a
cautious tone, scanning the young mans face
as he brushed the dripping yellow locks back
from the narrow, retreatng forehead.
Nat glanced half apprehensiyely toward the
rude ladder which. placed in one corner of the
cabin, assembled to the little low loft above,
where the family slept.
Be yer wife an Eoline SCUM asleep?" he
asked
For answer Berry arose in his heavy, un-
graceful way and climbed as quietly as his
bulky form would permit up the ladder.
Waiting on the top round of the ladder until
LIKE
terror of the loft, he looked swiftly and search
ingly around him. Satisfied that his wife was
asleep on the bed in one corner, he turned his
eyes toward the pallet in another.
broad flash of lightning revealed for mo-
ment beautiful face framed in a wreath of
soft, dark hair, and with dark slken lashes
resting on plump, flushed cheeks, which testi-
fed TO the perfect health of young womanhood.
So Eoline Starr appeared TO Ben Berry, as he
Razed for a second on the fair sleeping face,
pressed against the pillow of her rude pallet
Descending the ladder, he approached Nat
and said with smile:
Drive ahead, Nat. Thar both SCUM asleep.n
Berry's words were no sooner uttered than
Eoline's dark eyes opened wide. She leaned
over the side of her couch. and pressed her keen
eyes near TO the rough, uneven flooring The
log was burning brightly on the fireplace, and
lighted up the room below, causing grotesque
shadows to dance ungainly measures in the re-
mote corners.
Peering through one of the cracks In the
flooring of the loft the girl found it an easy
matter to watch the two men before the
hearth.
Not movement OF theirs escaped her, and
by straining her ears she could catch most of
the words Of their low conversation.
Something wrong is brewing to- night she
sald TO herself I" i have been troubled all the
week. Nat Black is capable of any crime in
his cunning sly way. He has come through
this storm for no good. 1t is to get Berry to
help the gang in some dark work. What if it
has something to do with Harry Redferni !"
At thought of that name her cheeks took on
flush which the darkness of the loft con-
cealed.
WAL" Nat remarked. "it's safe to be keer
ful. It's not good ter let women folks hear
seeh business as our'n, specially Eoline She
sees Things plumb different from we'uns.
Eoine does, an bein' no kin o. yourn Ben. an
bein' ole friend O. Hank Redfcrn's, that Cher
okee Dep'ty, she might up and blab on us il
shed overhear we'uns. Their critters air safe
hid up Rocky Bayou. but ter-night we sus have
got ter rid Their Sans Bots O. them prowlin'
of GERS"
Thet's wots got ter be DONE" approved
Berry.
It's gittin' too hot fur Their gang sence Hank
Redfern KEN down from Tablequah" proceeded
Nat, turning his steamng coat around to dry
on the other side. EFF that Cherokee Dep'ty
KIN be got outen our way, Their gang kin ca
WORT agin in these hyer mountains as they
durn please, without any fears from them
skulkin houn's O. ther law. Eff kin only git
Redfern ter Dead Mans Cliff once Tahlequah
will never see him agin. Then I'd be free ter
win Eoline; an, Berry, you'uns have got ter
gin ther gal ter me- or / swear I'll turn ther
gang plumb agin YER" and he muttered some
threat, inaudible to the girl crouching on the
floor above them.
Yer needn't git huffy, Nat" answered
Berry. reckon If we'uns kin red Their Sans
t,ols o Hank Redfern, Eoline will take yer