Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-01-08
CHAPTER XXI.
T., 49,.


The siege 10 nearing crisis at the
Stone House. Almost q week has
passed since tho arrival OF Egan and
his braves. lie has been reinforced
almost daily. until tho plain swarms
with savages. His last reenforce-
ments arrived ct nightfall and the
morning is set apart TO determine the
long-drawn-out struggle.
The Lord OF the Desert has truly
risen 20 the desperate man that he
IL. without sleep night or day. ne
has kept his enemy 1t bay. His best
marksmen have been kept at the loop
holes and q standing reward OF $50
for every fatal shot fired has been
offered, with discount OF $40 for
every wasted load OF ammunition.
The results have been astounding.
Nearly every bullet that has been
sent forth has found victim. Once,
twice, thrice, four, ave times have
the Indians been repulsed by the
wonderful marksmanship OF the
cowboys. II seemed impossible 10
reach the stone wall, 80 fatal were
the shafts OF lead.
Tunneling had been attempted.
but the rocks, so numerous a few feet
beneath the soil. made this impossi-
BILE at every point. The impatience
of Old Egan grew beyond control.
At nightfall he had called coun.
ell Of the chiefs. He determined
to end the siege. Tomorrow" he
said. when the morning star begins
TO fade. will lead my men over the
atz.A .waIlg We Mill ranftsen aha
White Grizzly" and his cubs. and
my men may put them TO torture!
We will divide his guns and powder
and shot among the bravest warriors.
and his wealth shall go to the chiefs
who are the frst TO cross the wall.
Then we will drive away his cattle
and his horses to our villages. and
tSer the iHras,y ihunsry souaws and children
In the quiet preparation for the
morning attack an unusual silence
pervaded the place. The Lord Of the
Desert was the more watchful. He
had long been taught that Indian ST.
lence was not sign OF inactivity. He
cast many glances in the direction
OF the fort. as he had done for the
phht uAy anu night ~ wan hAbh
time that assistance should arrive.
He sometimes doubted. Was the
ltrapper absent from home? Could II
be possible that he had refused to go
his errand? He knew that the trap
per could be depended upon IN all
cases OF humanity but his guilty
conscience told him that he did not
merit aid from any human hand.
What had become OF Dan Follett?
Oh, he was merely sulking in some
safe retreat-perhaps doing him q
service in some way! Dan will
show up. he'll show up! can al
ways count on Dan showing up!" ex-
claimed the Lord Of the Desert, half
audibly.
The Lord of the Desert had not
thought OF looking after the safety
Iof his treasure for all these days. or
lperhaps he would not have thought
so favorably OF Dan. and confided SO
earnestly In his showing up"
But Dan Follett showed up" Not
as the friend of the besieged Of the
Stone House, but to warn Egan and
his followers Of their danger.
II was nearly midnight when he
arrived. for he had been compelled
TO travel q long distance since night
fall to arrive ahead OF General Crook
and his command. He had passed
them during the day, by shadowing
them from behind the rimrocks, but
after the plain was reached between
the rimrocks and the Stone House
he was compelled to secrete hiWseli
until night to prevent them from
seeing him.
He knew that Crooks men would
arrive at the Stone House between
midnight and day, and he did moi
hesitate in his course. He rode
boldly up to the warriors, who I'm
lmediately surrounded him. He de
lmanded a conference with Old Eagan
When brought before the bandit
chief the latter mlstrusted him, but
he told the story partly in detail. and
the Indian was finally convinced. But
II was not long until he had positive
proof. Indian scouts had been sent
out hurriedy, and one Of their mum.
ber soon returned bringing the news
that men numerous as the stars were
coming, armed with long guns with
long knives on the ends of the bar.
rels.
Old Egan took in the situation at a
glance. He dismissed his warriors
and beckoned Follett to remain.
I'VE have been enemies" he said
% the Canadian. Nov we will be
friends. We have but little time foI
talk, but 1t is important. Indian like
revenge Trapper has done me great
wrong now. Trapper did you great
wrong! You may go live with my
neople. You may be my friend. You
know the white Grizzly's' niece;
she not dead!"
fTo hn nonY,uuaaN