The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-04
The Iron of RcmOrSe.
a
STORY
OF
THE
TRAIL.


to the hostile camp and discuss those
terms. If a force attempted to come
he would retreat with his braves and
stay out all winter.
Morley made answer that he had M
fear Of the chief staying out all VIM
ter among the mountains when the
agency was so comfortable. but that
If he did the white man could stand 1T
as long as he could. Moreover, he said
that none of his soldiers had any in
tention whatever of walking into Il
death trap of the sort.
Their Mackworth spoke up. II have,'
he said.
"Get out" said the captain, incrcdu-
lousy.
Il mean what I say" said Mack
worth, "and I shall consider your per.
mission to do the greatest and only
favor you can do me. Something may
be effected by it,"
Your death. that's all; and little
preliminary torture"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoul-
ders "Will you let me go?' he in
sisted.
mot by long sight"
81 wish to go. Captain Morley"
Morley considered. and he decided
that it might not be wise to refuse.
There was no knowing just what the
sct-faced boy might do. So they par
leyed together for u 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. They watched him go off
into the distance Of the plain, toward
the mountains. following the hostile,
who swung on at the long, untirng
dog-trot.
After four hours they came to the
| mouth of a narrow canyon. The run
ner had given no sign of 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 a sowskin spread under a
cedar tree. Four of them rode ana
slouchcd forward. There was a pro-
longed scrutiny upon both sides.
The chief waited for MackwOrth to
| begin, but the white mans instincts
were good. He beat the suddenly-silent
| redskir 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. offsetting
his OWN terms. The bucks scowled, and
! the chief began to argue. The white
man, with the unflinching eye, would
! not comprOmise. ''Tell him." Mack
worth said, 'tha. this is my will. II
he will not do this I go back to the
, soldiers, and we follow you and kill
you all. man and woman" The face
/ Of the chief grew black. a growl rose
| from the crowdng bucks. and the
| watching squaws began to chatter in
voices sweet as the tinklc of glass
! bells.
| The chief stepped suddenly forward
' and caught the bride above the curb
shanks. Not so much as an eyelash of
! the s'crn, white young face quivcre!.
and the heart of the red man was filled
with admiration. One movement Of
fear would have COS. Mackworth his
| life then. but he was not afraid. not
| though he knew that torture might
await him. He sat looking coolly down
at the lowering. cruel faces. The chief
turned and spoke to the bucks. and
| there was a growi of protest.; the
squawa Joined with shrill little chorus
scream. But the chief flung away the
bride with d 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
uklisheed with no show Of haste AMI
without backward look.
He reported his success and went t1
his tent. His look of stolid wretch
edness was unchanged. Morley be-
gan to be nervous. He went to the
tent himself ana found the lieutenant
writing letter by lantern light. 1t
wat IA normal opportunity TO take for
that. so the captain. being filled with
misgivings. trumped up an errand and
sent him off on it. Then he looked at
the letter. 1t was to Mackworth's $,
mother Morley did not read it, but
he guessed the whole thing in flash
He took up Mackworths carbine an
slid it under the tent flags into the
outer darkness. Also. he broke the
Colts. which had been thrown down
upon the bedding, and put the car
placed it in the holster, and going out.
1 picked up the carbine and hid it in
| the brush.
After the camp was all asleep AMI
Morley snoring loudly across the tent.
Mackworth CROPPED under his pillow
and brought out the revolver. He
cooked it and waited moment: then
he placed the barrel we'll in his mouth
and pulled the trigger once-and then
again and again.
|
At first call for reveille Morley
awoke. Mackworth was already up
and. turning, he studied his captain s
face with the faintest and most un.
willing of smiles twitching the corn
ers of his mouth under his beard. II
was the most natural and healthful
look his face had worn in weeks.
"Well?" said Morley.
Well" answered Mackworth. 81
should like my carbine and the loads
of my Colts. please"
Morley's face broke into broad
grin, "Will you be good if let you
have them?" he asked.
"I'll be good promised the lieuten.
ant.-Gwendolen Overton In the Argo.
naut
A BURNING MOUNTAIN.