Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-01-13
CHAPTER XXI.
Cruel Revenge,

Cruel Revenge.
The siege is nearing a crisis at the
Stone House. Almost a week has
passed since the arrival of Egan and
his braves. He has been reinforced
almost daily, until the plain swarms
with savages. His last reinforce
ments arrived at nightfall, and the
morning is set apart to determine the
long-drawn-out struggle.
The Lord of the Desert has truly
risen to the desperate man that he
is. Without sleep night or day. he
has kept his enemy at bay. His best
marksmen have been kept at the loop
holes and a standing reward of $50
for every fatal shot fired has been
offered, with a 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, five times have
the Indians been repulsed by the
wonderful craftsmanship of the
cowboys. 1t seemed impossible to
reach the stone wall, so fatal were
the shafts of lead.
Tunneling had been attempted,
but the rocks, so numerous 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 a coun-
Gil of the chiefs. He determined
to end the siege. Tomorrow" he
said, when the morning star begins
to fade, I will lead my men over the
stone wall! We will capture the
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 first to cross the WALL
Then we will drive away his cattle
and his horses to our villages, and
the hungry squaws and children
shall feast!"
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 81
lence was not a sign of inactivity. He
cast many glances in the direction
of the fort, as he had done for the
past day and night. 1t was high
time that assistance should arrive.
He sometimes doubted. Was the
IL cppO1 oO0CAI I1OA SOuIu Al
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 su1king in some
safe retreat-perhaps doing him a
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
of his treasure for all these days, or
perhaps 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.
1t was nearly midnight when he
arrived, for he had been compelled
to travel 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 himself
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 not
hesitate in his course. He rode
boldly up to the warriors, who i'm
mediate1y surrounded him He de-
manded a conference with Old Eagan
When brought before the bandit
chief the latter mistrusted him, but
he told the story partly in detail, and
the Indian was finally convinced. But
It was not long until he had positive
proof Indian scouts had been sent
3ut hurriedy, and one of their num-
Der soon returned bringing the news
coming, armed with long guns with
re1s.
Old Egan took in the situation at
glance. He dismissed his warriors
and beckoned Follett to remain.
1--WE have been enemies" he said
O. the Canadian. "Now we will be
friends. We have but little time for
talk, but it is important. Indian like
revenge. Trapper has done me great
wrong now. Trapper did you great
wrong! You may go live with my
7eople You may be my friend. You
'1now the White Grizzly's' niece;
She not dead!"
CTo be conunued.)