Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-11-24

toward The mountains, following
the hostile, who swung Oh at the
long, unfirlDg dog trot.
After four honrs they came to
the mouth of narrow canon. Tue
runner had given no sign of sound.
ami the fixed look had not gone
from Mack woItb's face. Well with.
IN the canon the hostlles were IN
camp. They had hObbled their
lean little ponies, the sqnaws were
gathering wood, and the bucks
were sqnattlng upon the ground or
paying monte with Cards of paint
el hide, around COW skin spread
under a cedar tree. Four of them
rose and slOnched forward. There
was a prolonged scrntiny upon
both sides.
The chief waited for Mack wor b
to begin; but the white mans in
stincts were good. He beat thr
sullenlv silent red kin at his own
game, and in the end the chi. f
spoke. The runner displayed foI
the first time his understanding,
aud Interpreted. Mack worth made
answer with decision. Offsetting his
own terms. The bucks scoWIed, q,
aud the chief began to argne The
white man, with the uufllnching
eyes, would not compromise. "Trll
hlm," Mack worth said, "that this
is my will. If be will not do this,
| go back to he soldiers aud We
follow you and kill you all, man
and woman" The face of The chieI
grew black, a grOwl rose from thu
crOwding bucks, aud the watching
Nquaws began to chatter in voices
sweet as the tinkle OF glass bells.
The chief stepped suddenly for
ward and caught the brldle abOye
:he curbshar ks. Not 80 much as
an eyelash of the sterB, whlie,
young face quiyered, and the hear
of ;he red man was filed with AL
miratI0n. One movement OF fear
would have cOst Mack worth his
lite then; bot he was not afraid,
not though he knew that torture
might await him He sat looking
cOOlly down at the lowering, cruel
fees. The chiet unrned aud spoke
to the bucks, ana there was a grOwl
Of protest; Ibe squAws j 'ihed with
sbIill little chorus scream. b ii
he chief flung awAv tue bride,
with force which made the horse
back.
"ilr do same yOn sa He 20
back 10 reservation to-day. He say
,on ukIshre quick" said he inter
pre- ter. Mtckworth turned delib-
rratelA AID rkisheed, with no show
of haste aud without a back ward
look.
He reported his success and
went 10 his tent. His look of
solid wrptcheduess was unchanged.
MorIev began to be nervous. He
went to the tent himself and found
the lieutenant writing letter by
lantern.'ight. lt WAS not normal
opportunity TO take for that, so the
aptaiu, being filed with misgiv-
lngs. trumped up an errand and
sent bin off On it. Then he looked
at the letter. 1t was TO Mack wOrth's
mother. Morley did not read 1t,
but he guessed the whole thing IN
a fash. He took up Mack worth's
carbiue aud slid it under the tent
flags into the outer darkness. Also
he broke the Colts, which bad
been thrown down upon the bed.
ding, and put the cartridges in biz
pocket. Then he replaced 1t in
tho holster, and golug our picked
up tue carbiue aud hll it in the
brush.
After the camp was all asleep
and Morley snoring loudly acros
The tent. Mack worth CROPPED under
his pillow aud brought out the r.
volver. He cooked 1t aud wAite1
a moment; then he placed the BAT
rel we'll in his mouth and fulled
the trigger once and then again
aud again.
At rst call for reyellle Morley
awOke. Mackworth was already
up, and turnIag he studied his cap
tain's face with the faintest aud
most unwilling of smiles twitchIn :
the corners OF his mouth under The
beard. 1t WAS the most natura
and healthy look his face had worn
IN weeks.
swell fr said Morley.
"Wrll," answered Mack worth
81 should like my carbIne aud the
loads of my Colts, please"
MOrIe,is face broke into a broad
grin. "Will you be good If 1 le'
you have themf' he asked.