San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-07

|S - ...
The young rnncllman held her halt faint
ina form TO his breast.
They had helped their defenders, had
stood by them with a bravery that had
the effect to strengthen and encourage
the men.
"It's Their sad truth, said the old COM
mander, breaking the silence and point
ing to the scanty remainder of the
powder.
1t was terribly true. They would be
unable to Withstand such another attack
as the Cheyennes had been waging
against them that night.
"What can we dor appealed one of
the settlers.
II didn't count on no SIGH long siege
as Their imps KEEP up" said old Silas
rather huskily. 81 thought our pow
der'd hold out till we uns cOnld clean
'em cfar out"
Here, boys" he continued, speaking
eheerfully, iii divide up wot powder
thar is equally among we uns, an when
ther Injuns come swoopin back yer'll
hev ter do Their 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, daring
plan entere her head.
"Mr. Jo~4an." she said, approaching
the commander and placing hand on
his arm, 81 want permission to leave
the blockhouse."
Ter leave ther blockhouse, he re-
peated, gazing down into her resolute
dark eyes.
"Yes, sir; want to return to our
shanty"
''Ther Cheyennes hev found it out an
hev 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. "It's moth
ing in the shanty | want"
"Wot do yer want ter go for, Lois?"
Powder"
"Powderw broke simultaneously from
the lips of every settler.
Eyes. | know the situation here. No
need to disg, Use it from me. Father has
whole can of powder which he got for
blasting rock. Before leaving the shan
ty l hid it with our goods upi the rocks,
where | know the Cheyennes won't find
it. | will go and fetch the powder"
''If we uns he'd it thars leetle doubt
but we uns could keep ther Injuns OF
fer er long WHILE" said old Silas.' But
yer not goin, Lois"
Eyes, an" resolutely.
"If Their Cheyennes don't git my scalp,
Lee HutchiNs would take it sure if
lowed yer t. resk yer life tibet. erway,"
answered old Silas, trying to jest.
81 don't l. oend that any one shall be
scalped," replied Lois. you need the
powder, and am going after it."
Eyer KANT go er foot, Lois, an no one
will darst go over ter ther bluffs ter
ketch yer pony. Their Injuns air be-
twixt we uns an Their critters"
"You have a boat, Mr.. Jordan" she
said quickly.
yes"
II know how to manage a boat as
well as a pony. / can go down the
river and back again in very short
time"
''It'd be mighty good to hev tibet pow
er O Moses, but KANT spare man 70
send after It, an l KANT see yer take
ther venture, Lois"
l GITha oha-,oac o,a 70 onu npn xr-O,,l1 af
tempt to fetch it he'd either be captured
or killed b. 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. / shall CO." and the
girls face flushed with the spirit of hel
brave resolve.
81 know that we cannot afford tC
spare a single man from here. But
know where the powder is, and can ''t
spared. Think of the innocent lives
that depend on the success of my ven
ture, then help, don't hinder, me-"
1t required considerable time for Loi:
to overcome the opposition to her start
ing on her perilous mission. Mrs. Gil
bert chung to her, reluctant to see hel
depart.
| At last she struggled from he
mothers embrace, and wrapping darl
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. N
sounds came from the group of tree
down the hill, back Of which thaChey