The Portland daily press., 1892-12-15
CHAPTER III.

CdAE LEN LII.
Silas Jordan's startling announcement
caused more than one cheek topale with
untold apprehensions as they glanced
toward the women, who had during the
siege chung together in intense terror,
all but Lois Gilbert and Martha Severy.
They had helped their defenders, had
stood by them with bravery that had
the effect to strengthen and encourage
the men, " .s
"It's Their sad truth, said the old COM
mander, breaking the silence and point
ing to the scanty remainder of the
powder.
Ii was terribly true. They would be
unable to Withstand such another attack
as the Cheyennes had been waging
against them that night.
sWhat can we doT' appealed one OF
the settlers.
ssI didn't count on no SIGH long siege
as Their imps KEEP up" said old Silas
rather hlaslzily. Il thought our pow
der'd hold out till we uns could clean
'em clar out"
'.Here, boys" he continued, speaking
cheerfully, ''I'll divide up wot powder
thar is equally among we uns, an when
ther mjuns come swoopin back yer'l
hev ter do ther best yer kin under Their
existin circumstances"
Lois Gilbert's keen ears had caught
enough of the dialogue between the set
tiers to comprehend the situation.
AS old Silas dealt out an equal guam
tity Of the powder to each man, adaring
plan entered her head.
'4Mr. Jordan" she said, approaching
the commander and placing hand on
his arm, 81 want permission to leave
the blockhouse."
ssTer leave ther blockhouse," he re-.
peated, gazing down into her resolute
dark eyes. go
eyes, sir; want to return to our
shanty."
ether Cheyennes hev found it out an
hey destroyed it fore this. Besides
thar's too much danger ter low yer to
go now"
81 realize the danger and am re-
solved to co." she returned. "Its moth
ing in the shanty want"
ssWot do yer want ter go for, Lois?"
Powder"
sPowder!' broke simultaneously from
the lips of every settler.
ssYes. know the situation here. No
need to disguise it from me. Father has
a whole can of powder which he got for
blasting rock. Before leaving the shan
ty / hid it with our goods up in the rocks,
where know the Cheyennes won't find
it. Twill go and fetch the powder
ssIf we uns he'd it thar's leetle doubt
but we uns could keep Their Injuns off
fer er long WHILE" said old Silas. "But
yer not goin, Lois"
eyes, am" resolutely.
"If ther Cheyennes don't git my SC
Lee Hutchins would take it sure
lowed yer ter resk yer life tibet erwas,
answered old Silas, trying to jest. .
II don't intend that any one shall be
scalped, )" replied Lois. s'You need the
powder, and / am going after it"
aYer KANT go er foot, Lois, an no one
will darst go over ter Their bluffs ter
ketch yer pony. Their Injuns air be-
twixt we uns AIN Their critters"
sYou have boat, Mr.. Jordan" she
said quickly.
Eyes"
81 know how to manage boat as
well as pony. I can go down the
river and back again in a very short
time"
IT'D be mighty good to hev tibet pow
er q Moses, but I KANT spare a man to
send after il, an l KANT see yer take
ther venture, Lois
ssThe chances are if any one would at
tempt to fetch it he'd either be captured
or killed by the Cheyennes," remarked
one of the settlers.
eyes, approved old Silas. "Better
stick together an take our chances here
at the fort"
'.You need not oppose me, for my
mind is made up. l shall CO." and the
girls face flushed with the spirit of her
brave resolve.
81 know that we cannot afford to
spare a single man from here. But |
know where the powder is, and I can be
spared. Think Of the innocent lives
that depend on the success Of my ven
ture, then help, don + hinder, me-"
1t required considerable time for Lois
to overcome the opposition to her start
ing on her perilous mission. Mrs. Gil
bert chung to her, reluctant to see her
depart.
At last she struggled from her
mothers embrace, and wrapping dark
shawl about her shoulders followed old
Silas out of the blockhouse.
The clouds in the east were thicken-
ing and obscured the light of the as
cending moon.
Outside the cabin they listened. No
sounds came from the group of trees
down the hill, back of which the Chey-
ennes had retired.
They were holding new council Oh
taking respite from the obstinate con;
test.
Satisfied there were no Indians prowl-
ing around. old Silas and Lois creps
down the opposite side of the hill to-
ward the river.
Jordan found the skiff where he kept
it concealed among the rocks. He was