Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-04-10

used some coarse ribaldry in his refer
ence to Marata, for such was her name.
Quick as flash one OF his companions.
Edward Robson, young giant of a
plainsman. sprang at him with the
ferocity of tiger, and thenceforward
the careless jester carried gap in his
teeth as memento OF his rashness.
One day late in July the sun had
dropped so low that we were In the
grateful shadow of the hills TO the
westward. and the small mess fires
We're beginning TO show their yellow
glare among the trees in preparation
for the evening meal. Robson was talk
ing earnestly with Marata.
Am never TO see you where can
talk to you as | want?'' he asked in the
Navajo tongue. you know love YOU,
Marata, and that | shall make you my
wife when | get my discharge, and we
shall be happy then together. But 1t is
too long to wait. | must see you and
talk to you OF the plans | have for our
lives"
He told her that he was TO be on
picket duty that night, and she con-
scented TO join him and fly with him.
Their signal was TO be the howl OF a
coyote.
When they were gone, another figure.
crouched i'm clump of bushes.
Strengthened itself from its cramped
position and raised its hand with n
savage gesture.
1t was the Indian Wild Horse, who
had slipped into this coneealment,
where he could hear the lovers inter
course and Marata's promise.
When Robson went TO his post OH
picket that night, it was with heart
beating high and eyes kindled with
CLEAN of satisfaction.
With step us light as a boys he
paced back and forth, back and forth,
humming to himself beneath his
breath the melody of fervid Spanish
love song.
"Only O'Clock" he said impatiently
at length THAT means long wait
yet, for she said she would not come
until all was quiet, but ! would wait
for years IL ! expected her to come at
last"
Hank! A dreary, dismal howl came
to him on the night air, making his
heart leap Could it be the signal? Yes.
there it came again and again. Surely
it must be Marata, for the cry swelled
and waned, long drawn and sad as the
cry of the lost. Robson hid his rifle in
a thicket, then drew it out again.
Il must have my rifle in case
should be seen by one of the other
pickets." he said. He slung it across
his shoulder and stole with stealthy
step ont into the shadows.
"Marata!"
Here a voice answered him from
the darkness
And the impatient lover swung him
self down the cliff with the aid Of the
overhanging bushes and stunted trees.
"Marataw he called again eagerly.
And again the voice answered close
at hand. and he saw a dim figure out
lined in the obscure shadows of the
canyon, where the starlight only pene-
trated htfuly. 1t was not Marata, for
the dim light showed him an uplifted
arm and the pale glitter Of steel
blade descending, and he felt the sharp
pain of the knife in his shoulder. stun
bled and fell, sliding heplessly down
the slope to the bottom OF the canyon.
1t was the fall that saved him, for
otherwise his assnilant would have
leaped upon him. ana another thrust
of the cruel knife would have sent him
out into the unknown. AS ii was. he
had time 10 recover himself. stagger to
his feet and draw his own knife before
Wild Horse could swing himself down
the wall of rock 10 renew the attack
RobSon's years OF frontier service had
made him rs skilful with the knife as
the Indian himself, and he was no less
1.-THE and strong in body and courage
Gus In heart. but as they bent, swayed
and struggled. watchful and wary, the
wound in RobSon's shoulder began to
tell and the loss OF blood TO weaken
him.
a strange feeling of languor took pos
session OF him. the glitter of the stars
seemed farther away. and then they
danced before his very eyes as he stun
bled and slipped over the rough stones.
Blndly be staggered. His neryeless
hand could hardly bold the knife. Ii
was growing darker, darker. Suddenly
there came flash and roar from the
wall Of the canyon. Wild Horse
screamed in agony. threw his arms
aloft and fell upon the stones. But
Robson did not heed nor see. The whole
earth reeled before him, and he sank
into unconsciousness. When he awoke,
lire liz up the canyon. group of Gu
rious soldiers stood about bin. and his
head was pillowed upon Marata's
breast.
Wild Horse came first" she whis-
pered when he could listen. II saw him
slip away and steal down the canyon,
and followed as fast as | could, for
knew be meant harm. but | could not
Keep up with him. heard the struggle
and came down into the canyon. Upon
the wall my foot struck the rife lying
among the stones. and II was with that
shot him. The Great Spirit put It In
my way"