Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-12-06

II
toward IN. women. who hal during the
Siege clung together In intens. terror,
all but Lots Gilbert AMI Martha Sev.ry.
They had helJ-si their defenders, had
siesi hy them with u bravery that hal
the sffec, "a strengthen and encourage
th. men.
"i,'s th.r sad truth. said the old com.
mander. ircaking the silence and point.
ing Ia the -anty remainder of the
/ IOvder.
II was terribly true. They would H.
unable to withstand such another attack
a. the Cheycnncs had been waging
against them that night
What AN W. doT appealed one Of
the settlers.
IL didn't count on no sich long siege
as ,ber imp. KEEP up," aid old silas
rather huskily. Il thought our Iow-
der'd bold ont till We nus could clean
'.m clar ont
Her. boys" he continued. Speaking
chcerfully. "T'll divide M wot Iowdcr
thar l. equally among We uns, an when
ther lnjuns come swoopin hack ycrll
hey ter do thor lest yer kin under iher
sxis,in circumstances"
i.oi. Gillsrt's keen ears had caught
enough II the dialogu. between the sci.
tiers o. comprehend the situation.
A. old sila. dealt out AN clual quan.
iiiy Of the Iow,ler tocach man. adaring
plan entered her head.
MIR. Jor,lan." she said. approaching
III. commanler and placing hand On
hi arm, Il want permission b. leave
ia. blockhou--."
Ter leave iher blockhouse." he re.
rcaic,l. gaIips down into her rcsoluic
dark eyes.
Yes. cir. I want 10 return TO our
shauty."
..Ther Cheysnnes hey found 1, cut an
hev destroyed 1, fore this. Besides
thAr's too much danger ter Tow Yer Ia
20 now"
Il realize the danger and ] am ~
solved to 20, she returned. ''iis moth
ing In the shanty want"
"wot do yer want ter ~ for. Lois
Powder"
Powder broke simultaneously from
the liIs II every settler.
"Ye-. know the situation here. No
nec,i Ia disguise IL from m". Father has
a whole can - Iow,ler which b. got fur
blasting rock. B.for, leaving the shan.
~ hill IL with our goc-ls up In the rocks,
where know the Cheycnne- won't iind
H. will 90 and fetch the powder"
.'lf we uns he'd ~ thar's lectl- doubt
bu, W. uns could keep iher lnjuus of
Ter ~ long while. said old silas. "Bu'
yer not guin. Lois"
"Y.s, ain. rvSoluiely.
III ther Chcycincs don't Kit my scalp,
L.. Hutchins would take u sur, II !
1owe,l YET ter r,,k Yer life thrt erwsy,-
answered oil silas. trying Ia Jet.
II don't intend that any one shall L.
.calI.Si," replied Lois. "you need the
powder. and am guing after IL"
"Yer kain't 90 er foot. Lois. an no one
will darsi go over ter ther bluffs ter
ke,ch yer Pony. Ther lnjuns air IT,
twixt We uns AN iher criiiers."
You have bat, Mr. jordan" she
sAid quickly.
"Yes."
II know how to manage a hoat n
well a. a pouy. can 90 down the
riyer aud back again IN very short
time"
ltd L. mighty good To hey ,het pow.
or a. Moses. bu, KANT spare man 10
send after IL. AN ! KANT se- yer take
thsr venture. LOIS"
The chances are II any one would nj.
tempt to fetch II he'd either bs captured
or Killed by the Cheyennes," remarked
one II the settlers.
"Ycs." approved old silas. Better
stick together AN take our chances mere
at the fort"
You ne~. no, oppose me. for my
mind y made up. shall go. aud the
girls face flushed with the spirt of her
brave resolve.
Il know that we cannot ahori Ia
spare a single man from here. but ]
know where the powder Is, AMI can le
spared. Think of the innocent lives
that depend ON the success of my ven
,ure. then help. don't hinder. me-"
II required considerable time for Lois
to overcome the opposition to her start
ing on her Isrilons mission. Mrs. Gil.
bert clung - her, reluctant to see heI
depart.
At last she struggled from her
mothers embrace. and wrapping dark
shawl about her shoulders followed old
eilas ont of the blockhouse.
The clouds ia the east were thicken.
ing and ot~cur-d the light of the rs
cending moon.
Outside the cabin they listened. No
sounds came from the group Of trees
down the hill. hack Of which the Chey.
ennes had retired.
They were holding q new council u
taking . ,ite from the obstinate con-
test
Satisfied there were no Indians prowl.
ing around, old Silas and Lois crept
down the opposite side Of the hill to
warl the river.
jordan found the skif where he kept
IL concealed among the rocks. lie was
no, long in launching 1t. and when Lois
hal seated herself In the boat he handed
her her fathers revolver, saying;
God bless yer. Lois. and send yer
safe backr'
"IIe will; never fear" shs answered
In full faith.
Lois Gilbert was no stranger 10 the
water. All her life her parents had
lived along some stream aud she had
learned 10 handle the oars with much
skill.
silas Jordan lay on the hank for some
time watching the girl ~ she urged the
little skif up the Arkansas.
When she was out Of sight he crawied
back IA the cabin. where his prsssncs
might be needed ut any moment
As the skif bore her farther away
fro,n the blockhouse feeling OF lonsli.
uess and dread crept over her.
Il was strangely quiet out on the river.
Only the occasional CRY OF some night
bird along the shors. o The disuai yslp