Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-09

uoubt disappeared; he was really gone.
The explanation was simple: We
vagina had heard tho noise, slight as
it was, that disclosed the presence Of
some one near him, and with the won.
derful cunning Of his people dartod like
flash beyond reach and sight. Run.
dell had not only failed to bring him to
book, but had betrayed himself, thus
adding infinitely to the advantage OF
the ono who was already immensely his
superior in woodcraft.
Filled with chagrin, the young man
hurriedly Withdrew to his former posi-
tion, for it was intolerablo to think that
he stood III view of his invisible enemy.
Still grasping his smaller weapon, he
looked around, listening intently, but
seeing and hearing nothing
"Thc conductor was right" he bitter
iy reflected. $50 was Mrs. Huntley, and
the action of We-way-ma is another
proof of it, where no proof was needed.
l ought to have shot him while the
chance was mine, for no would not have
hesitated had our situations been re-
versed.
And yet the Apache had hesitated,
for it is beyond denial that the moment
he detected the proximity of white
man the power was tho Apacho's to
bring him down with shot from his
gun or the pistol that, it is to be pre-
sumod, he had, but it was not to be sup
posed that he refrained through ang con-
sideration for his enemy. 1t was rather
a part Of his subtle scheme that he chose
70 wait until there came change in
the situation.
Weston Rufse found himself for the
time ut his wits end. He did not know
whether TO advance or retreat Just
then h9 would have given much to he
able to communicate with the ranch
man; but, since the Apachcs were
prowling near, any attempt to reach an
understanding with him was certain to
expose himself to his enemies.
He looked in the direction of the
house, whose shadowy outlines could he
family traced against the starit sky.
To one side and at the rear wasa small
er structure used as u stable. III that
climate there is only occasional need of
shelter for animals, but at rare inter
walls the northcrs and d.iving storms
render it necessary, and the stable was
used at such times for the ponies, while
tho cattle of necessity were left to shift
for themselves.
One striking popularity of the situa-
ton was the failure of the Apaches &c
use the advantage that was unquestion.
ably theirs Nothing was easier for
them than to steal up to the stable and
set it on fire, but it may have been that
they saw il was not near enough to the
dwelling to communicate with it, since
there was hardly a breath Of air stirring,
and We-Way ma might have lighted hi,
cigarette without the least protection tC
the blaze
Be that as it may, the marauders had
an equally good opportunity of firing
the house itself, for, though it had win
dows on all sides and only the single
front door, they could creep near III the
darkness with brushwood and touch II
off without detection. 1t may have beef
that such was their intention, and IN,
dence Of itself that they had sufficient
reason for their inaction.
Recalling the arrangement Of tn,
house, Rundell knew that he was near
est the sleeping room Of Mr.. and Mrs
! Huntley. He was at the rear and would
not have more than a few PAGES L
walk to reach the window, which. Xix,
! oil ba no
His inclination was to 80 directly
forward, knock on the window, max,
himself known and gain admission, bu
there was more than one reason why h,
should hesitate In the first place, i
was to be supposed that the mother an,
daughter, rifle in hand, were on til,
alert, passing from window to window
ana ready to ropel any insiduous ap
prOaCh Of their foes. As he emerged
from the gloom he was likely to be mis-
taken for one of the Apaches and would
be fired upon before be was recognized
Ne-way-ma wore u sombrerO like him
self, and it was probable that some o
his companions did the samc, while tn,
gloom would conceal the other differ
remedy the mistake.
Moreover, the same if not u create
peril must threaten from the Apache
themselves. 1t would seem that the,
must detect the approach Of Il whit
man sooner than the women, with con
sequences that need not be dWeit upon
Several times while scrutiniZing tn
dark, gloomy structure in front of hin
Rundell fancied he could see a faint
almost impercepriblo, illumination, "A
If candle were burning somewher
within the building. The windows, be
ing provided with curtains, would o
necessity subdue such light, whicl
was also screened by other means. How
ever, the glow was so faint that "a
times he doubted whether there wa
any light at all inside the house.
But the minutes were passing, ant
the young man was getting impatient
The impulse to do something was stron
upon him and finally led him to an at
tempt that was the height Of rashness.
He had approached as near the hous
as he dared, for to advance farthc
would be TO pass into the open, as ma
be said, where he was almost certain o
discovery. Drawing Il match from hi
pocket he drew it smartly along hi
trousers at the thigh. 1t was of tn
silent kind and broke into sulphurou
smoke without noise. He, too, shelter
ed it, though he used but one hand, AM
hnt NOT , l.,