Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1902-04-18

3SSs:i1 - 4 l.
II can try"
But, let mo assure you, alone you will
not succeed"
'Why not?"
"lsecatse one of my Indian herdcrs,
Halpah. Il Nez Perce, came in about an
hour ago. and he tells me that the valley
in which the colonists have settled is sur
rounded by Sioux scouts"
Guide Whitman started, but, recovering
himself. he said hurriedly:
"Then there is all the moro reason for
my going at once to apprise them of their
danger"
TRUE. but YOU so not alone"
"Then you will go with mey'
YES; but before we hold council of
war let us have breakfast. Bertram is
still sleeping. Bless the boy, there is 10
gnawing thought to eat in on his slum-
bers; and the waking eNuberauce of youth
demands longer periods of rest. You are
still too young to understand this"
II am twenty-eight. Col. Leroy, but
Judging by past experience and present
feelings the figures should y reversed
'o 40 W iSuu NY dSc ttC eISutN-tWO.
Col. Leroy sighed, smiled and shook
his head. and taking Guide Whitman's
arm they walked back to the house,
where they found Bertram up and dress
ed.
Though of mans stature, Bcrtram kiss
cd his father, as was his habit when a
child. and he shook hands with their
guest.
More than ever Guide Whitman was
struck with the youths beauty, and
stronger became the fascination with the
grace of his person and the melody of
his voice.
eve ride with our friend after break
FAST said Col. Leroy to his son.
"1n what direction?" asked Bertram.
ITO the new settlement, and danger
lies in our path"
That is not new condition of our
journeyings," said Bertram. with win
ming smile; but as so far we have elud-
ed danger or defed it. cannot think the
time for u change of fortune has come"
Breakfast over, the three white men
cleaned their arms, saw that their am
munition pouches We're full, and stood
ready to mount, when Tony brought each
pair of saddle bags, saying, as he fast
ened them over the pommels:
''Dem bags has six days cooked rations
IL dey's treated mild"
The three men mounted and as they
were about to ride away an Indian sud
denly appeared in theiy midst
You. Halpah.' exclaimed the colonel.
The Indian was young. below the aver
age height, but with the deep breast and
broad shoulders that ever bctoken im-
mcnse physical strength and phenomenal
powers of endurance.
II came to ask if am to remain?" said
the Indian.
"You are to remain, and to guard the
valley while I am gone"
"May the Great Spirit guard with a
watchfulness equal to mine"
The young Ncz Perce looked up at the
rising sun, bowed in reverence, and stem
ped lightly to one side. The white men
acknowledged the salutation of the In
dian, and headed their horses to the
northwest.
Within an hour the mountain was
crossed. On it's summit they had halted,
attracted by the pillars of blue smoke
that marked the location of Bellevue
startled by the cloud of smoke, far to
the north, that marked the site of the
Sioux camp. There was that in the air
in their own hearts-that filled them
with sense of impending danger, and
caused them to urge their horses ON To
their utmost speed.
They We're within an hours ride of
Bellevue-they might have seen it dis
tinctly with the naked eye from any Of
the surrounding elevations-when an ex-
clalnation from Bertram caused all to
come to sudden halt.
"Well. what do you see?" asked the col
onel, excitedly.
"1ndiansw replied Bertram.
"Where?"
"On. the hills above the settlement.
See. they are now directly in front, and
are signalling with their lances to Others
OH the opposite side-'
YES" interrupted Guide Whitman,
they have discovered u.s.
(which by no means implies that they
have us in their power. or that our mis-
sion is hopeless. Every rock and tree
in these surroundings is q friend and ac-
quaintance. Follow me-" &.
Col. Leroy touched spurs to his spirit.
ed horse and dashed ahead. Guide Whit.
man and Bertram were not slow to fol
low. He was leading them directly to.
wards the Sioux. now distinctly visible
in front. Soon they could hear the say.
age yells and see the waving of excited
fspears. The Indians could have block
ed successfully the way Of . hundred dar-
Ing, men. but az Col. Leeoy came in
sight, with his long hair and heard sweep
ing back on tho wind Nike sun-god's
halo. the superstitious red men Tell back