Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-01-11

rods away was a herd Of antelope.
"Thems better'n dog," whispered
Burt. Lie still an I'll stalk EN-
And, suiting the action to the
word, prone upon the earth he began
to writhe toward the game, who were
uneasily nibbling at the scant heritage.
Tyler remained behind
Slowly but surely Tom advanced,
the dry bunch brass affording in places
a slight cover. until he was perhaps
within sixty rods of the antelope and
forty rods from where Dan sat-
Then, seeing no opportunity of fur
Their concealment, he paused, waiting
for the best and surest possible shot.
And as he lay thus, watching the
deer, with rife at his face, his COM
rade saw this:
Away behind them, bobbing up and
down upon the dim horizon, now a
faint purple from the coming night,
were score of more Of black blots
against the sky, growing each instant
more and more distinct as they drew
nearer. The Indians were coming!
Not far in front and just at the side
Of the unsuspecting hunter-so close
that the waving head cast a baleful
shadow across the bronzed cheek of
him who watched the deer-there coil
ed rattlesnake, disturbed, doubtless,
in its afternoon nap, and now threat
ening swift and terrible revenge.
These things say Tyler and knew
that safety for himself lay in silence;
Tor, if the snake struck and no shot
was fred, the dusky pursuers might
miss the trail and pass him by-and
knowing this, his life against double
death, with renewed strength and
nerves like steel he tossed his rifle to
his shoulder, aimed carefully at the
angry reptile before him just as it's
head was posing for the fatal blow,
and fired.
There was a cry of surprise fol
lowed by an exclamation of horror, as
Burt sprang to his feet and beheld the
dying reptile, for the bullet had cut
it almost in twain; and then, following
with his eyes the direction in which
Dan pointed, the fleeing antelope pos
sessed no further charms for him, nor
the rattlesnake any fears, but with
a sudden indrawn breath he cried
hoarsely, Come" and turning, closely
followed by Tyler, who was now at
his side, the two sped away toward the
distant timber far faster than ever
before.
It's bit duskish," whispered Tom
as they ran; ''mayhap the devils won't
see All"
He was interrupted by a PARKWAY
cry, a voice of the night almost that
rose and fell, weird and terrible, ring
ing down the twilight behind them
the war-cry of the Blackfeet! They
were discovered!
Thar's but one hope now" painted
Dick, as, with firm-set teeth and strain
ing muscles, the men dashed on, ito
reach the timber and fight them off,"
On, on through the fast-falling
gloom, across the crisp, brown grass,
above the baked and crumbling earth,
they fed, while behind them rang clear
and still clearer in their ears the dis
tant following hoof-beats and in front
the trees of refuge doomed each instant
higher against the darkening sky.
IF we can but reach the COW
The sentenced was not finished, for,
with cry, Dan stumbled heavily for
ward, staggered, and fell at length
upon the ground. Instantly Tom was
at his side.
I'm not hurt much" whispered the
fallen man, striving to rise. Il caught
my foot"
Cold sweat rose in beads upon the
sufferers forehead; dull, leaden hue
spread over his brown and wrinkled
face. He clutched at Bert's hand.
"Good-by, old man, and God save ye!
My leg is broken! Empty my rifle in
to NY heart an go, quick!''
Tom looked at him a moment in 81
lence, then at their coming enemies,
and a strange light burned on his
cheeks and in his eyes. He seated
himself at Tyler's side.
"Pard, we've mt an lived together
many year, he said, now, eff needs
be, We'll fight an die together. Not
word! Ye kin shoot?"
Yes" whispered Dan.
Then we'll catch few OF EN- De-
fore they gather us in. But look, Dan
look" continued Burt, suddenly.
with intense eagerness. Look yon-
der! What comes?"
With Frightening eyes Dan turned.
Away in the northern sky there
hung a strange, funnelshaped cloud,
broad above, but narrowing toward
the earth, that, even in the fast-thlck-
ening twilight, they could see was in
rapid motion, and was approaching
| them. At the same moment, dull,
roaring-the sound of an unseen sea
upon an unseen shore-fell upon their
straining ears.
Tow drew nearer and touched his
| half-fainting friends hand.
"OId boy, the Injins II never get US!
Heaven is about to bury us! That
yonder is a prairie cyclone"
Dan quivered, but, despite his pain,
the terrible, swift certainty of their
| fato ovorcame all else and true to his