Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1903-12-19

80 much patriotism and pluck. But
uncle Jazon was fond of Alice. and
beverley's story affected him peculiar
~ on her account.
Ihey's one question I'm a-goln' 20
put TO ye, young man." he said after he
had heard everything and they had
talked it all over, "an' l want We to an
s"er II straight as a bullet rom yer
gun"
"Ot course, Jazon. Go ahead" said
beverley. 81 shall be glad to answer"
But his mind was far away with the
gold haired maiden in Hamilton's pris-
on He scarcely knew what he was
saying.
Air ye expectin' to marry Alice
RoussilonT
Beverley started as II a blow had
been aimed at him. Oncle Jazon's
question indeed was a blow as unex.
pected as it was direct and powerful.
Il know it's pooty p'inted," the old
man added after a short pause. 'nn' We
may think thet amt got no business
askin' it, but have. That leetle gals
pet o mine, an I'm a-lookin' after
her an cXpectin to see thet she's not
bothered by nobody who's not goin' to
do right by her, NIarryin is a mighty
good thing but
kenton had been pecping under thu
low hanging scrub oak boughs while
/ Oncle Jazon was speaking these last
| words, and now he suddenly interrupt.
( ed:
THE deuce! Look yonderr he growl.
ed out in startling tone. "Injunsw
/ 1t was a sharp snap Of the conversa-
tons thread, and at the same time our
three friends realized that they had
been careless in not keeping a better
lookout They let fall the meat they
had not yet finished eating and seized
their guns.
Five or six dark forms were moving
toward them across a little point Of the
prairie that cut into the wood quarter
OF a mile distant
"Nander's more OF en-" said Oncle
Jazon. as if not IN the least concerned.
Tagging his head in an opposite direc-
ton, from which another squad was
approaching.
That he duly appreciated the situa-
tlon appeared only IN the celerity with
which he acted.
Kenton at once assumed command,
ana his companions felt his perfect fit
ness There was no doubt from the
trst as TO what the Indians meant but
egen II there had been It would have
soon vanished, for in less than three
minutes twenty-one savages Were
swiftly and silently forming circle In
closing the spot where the three white
men, who had covered themselves as
best they could with trees, waited In
grim stcadincss for the worst.
Quite beyond gunshOt range, but neai
enough for OnCle JazOn 70 recognize
Long Hair as their leader, the Indians
halted and began making signs to one
another all round the line. Evidently
they dreaded TO test the craftsmanship
of such rinemen as they knew mos
border men to be. Indeed Long Hal
, had personal knowledge of what Nigh
u certainly be expected from both Ken
ton and Oncle Jazon. They were terri
BILE when out for fight. The red war
I rlors from Georgia TO the great lake
had heard Of them; their names smack
cd of tragedy. Nor was Beverley with
out fame among Long Hairs followers
who had listened TO the story of hl
lighting qualities brought 10 Nincenne
by the two survivors Of the scouting
party so cleverly defeated 10y him.
= "Tbe liver colored cowards,' salt
Kenton. "are afeared Of us In shoot
In match. They know that a lot o
J 'em would have to die II they shoul'
undertake an open fight with us. II
p Rome sort of sneakln' game they ar
studyn' about just now
I'm a-gittin mos too ole TO shoe
; wo'th n cent" said Oncle Jazon, "bu
I'd give half O. my scalp ef thet Lon
2 Hair would come clost enough 10 IN
10 cit bead onto his lef' eye. It's tol
; ble plain thet we're gone goslin's thl
time. I'm thlnkin'. Still It d be might
satisfyln' If / could plug out lef ey
or two fore 60"
e Beverley was silent. The words o
his companions were heard by him. pu
7 not noticed. Nothing interested hiI
I save the thought OF escaping and mai
e ing his way TO Clark. To fail meant j
q hnitely more than death, OF which b
had as small fear as most brave mel
and 10 succeed meant everything ina
o ljfe could offer So IN the unllmile
, seldshness OF love be did not take III
2 companions into account
{ The three stood In close set clum
a Of four or i've scrub oaks at the hlsl
: est point OF a thinly wooded knoll ina
sloped down in all directions 10 IA
prairie. Their view was Wide' out
{ places obstructed by the trees.
"Aien." said Kenton after though
q ful and watchful silence, the thin
: looks kind O. squally for US. doh
: see much OF a chance 10 get out OF th
! alive but we've got TO try"
He showed by the density OF ~
i voice and a certain gray film In o.
q face that he felt the awful gravity
Q the situation. but be was calm' ana ~
5 a muscle qulvered.
I "Theys jes' two chances Tor a.
FItNHf'a % aIIl