The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-10-31


There was no knowing just what the |
set faced boy might do. So they par
leyed together for a time, then Mack |
worth mounted his horse and went He |
did not expect to come back and the |
officers and men did not expect to see |
him again.
After four hours they came to the |
mouth of a narrow canyon. The runner
had given no sign or sound, and the
fixed look had not gone from Mack
worth's face. Well within the canyon
the hostiles were in camp. They had
hobbled their lean little ponies, the
SQuaws were gathering wood and the
| bucks were squatting upon the ground
| or playing monte with cards of painted
hide, around cowskin spread under Q
cedar tree. Four of them rose and
slouched forward. There was pro-
longed scrutiny upon both sides.
The chief waited for Mackworth to
begin, but the white mans instincts
were good. He beat the suKenly silent
redskin at his own game, and In the
end the chief spoke. The runner dis
played for the first time his under
standing and interpreted. MackwOrth
made answer with decision, oGsetting
his own terms. The bucks scowled, and
the chief began to argue. The white
man with the unfiinching eyes would
not compromise. 'Tell him." Mack
worth said, that this is my will. II he
will not do this, I 60 back to the sod
diers and we follow you and kill you
ALL man and woman" The face of the
chief grew black, a growl rose from
the crowding bucks, and the watching
sQuaws began to chatter In voices
sweet as the tinkle of glass bells.
The chief stepped suddenly forward
and. caught the bride above the curb
shanks. Not so much as an eyelash
of the stern, white, young face culver
ed, and the heart of the red man was
filed with admiration. One move
ment of fear would have cost Mack
worth his life then, but he was not
afraid, not though he knew that tor
ture might await him. He sat looking
coolly down at the lowering, cruel
faces. The chief turned and spoke to
the bucks, and there was q growl Of
protest The squaws joined with a
shrill little chorus scream. But the
chief flung away the bride with force
which made the horse back.
"He do same you say. He go back
to reservation today. He say you
ukishee quick" said the interpreter.
Mackworth turned deliberately and
ukisheed, with no show of haste and
without backward look.
He reported his success and went to
his tent. His look of stohd wretched-
ness was unchanged. Morley began to
be nervous. He went to the tent him
self and found the lieutenant writing
@ letter by lantern light. 1t was not a
normal opportunity to take for that, SC
the captain, being flied with misgiv-
: ings, trumped up an errand and sent
: him off on It, Then looked at the
! letter. 1t was to Mackworth's mother
Morley did not read it, but he guessed
q the whole thing in a fash. He tosA
= up Mackworth's carbine and slid 1t I'm
!, der the tent flags into the outer dark
ness Also he broke the Colts, which
had been thrown down upon the bed
s ding, and put the cartridges in hi
. pocket Then he replaced it in thu
q holster and. going out, picked up thu
carbine and hid it in the brush.
- After the camp was all asleep anC
= Morley snoring loudly across the ten
= Mackworth CROPPED under his pillow
! and brought out the revolver. He cock
= ed it and waited a moment, then h.
- placed the barrel well In his mouth ant
= pulled the trigger once, and then agaiI
10 and again.
a At first call for reveille Morle
awoke. Mackworth was already VI
10 and, turning, he studied his captain
= face with the faintest and most unwik
ot ing of smiles twitching the corners 0
&c his mouth under the beard. 1t was tn
i most natural and healthy look his fac
a. had worn IN weeks.
10 'Well?" said Morley.
~ WELL" answered Mackworth,
is should like my carbine- and the load
IN Of my Colts, please"
~ Morley's face broke into broad girl
i. 'Will you be good If l let you hay
L. them?' he asked.
he an be good" promised the heutel
an ant.-Argonaut.