Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-28
CHAPTER XI

1t was now more than eighteen months
since the Hardys had been fairly estab-
lished at Mount Pleasant. Everything
was prospering beyond Mr.. Hardy's most
sanguine expectations. More and more
land was monthly being broken up and
irrigated. Large profits had been realized
by buying lean cattle during the dry sea-
son, fattening them upon alfalfa, and
sending them down to Rosario for sale
The pigs had multiplied astonishingly:
and the profits from the dairy were in
creasing daily, as more cows were con-
stantly added. The produce of Mount
Pleasant was so valued at both Rosario
and Buenos Ayres that the demand, at
most remunerative prices, far exceeded
the supply.
Charley was now eighteen, a squarely
built, sturdy young fellow. From his
life of exposure in the open air he looked
older than he was. He had strong
idea that he was now becoming man;
and Ethel had one day detected him ex-
amining his cheeks very closely in the
glass to see if there were any signs of
whiskers. Hubert was nearly seventeen:
he was taller and slighter than his broth
er' but was younger both in appearance
and manners. He had all the restlessness
of boy, and lacked somewhat of Char
ley's steady perseverance.
Maud was fifteen. Her constant out
of-door exercise had made her as nimble
and active as young fawn. Ethel want
ed three months cf fourteen, and looked
under twelve. She was quite the home
bird of the family, and liked nothing bet
ter than taking her work and sitting by
the hour, quietly talking to her mother.
Inc time was now again approaching
when the Indian forays were to be ,ex-
pected. Late one afternoon Mr.. Fitz-
gerald had gone ont for ride with Mr.
Hardy. Charley had gone down to the
dam with his gun on his shoulder. and
Hubert had ridden to pool in the river
at some distance off, where he had the
day before observed a wild duck. which
lie Delieved to be new sort. The cattle
and focks had just been driven in bv
Lopez and two mounted poems at an ear
ller hour than usual, as Mr.. Hardy had
that morning given orders that the ami
mails were all to be in their Enclosures
before dusk. The laborers in the fields
below were still at work blowing. Ethel
was IN the sitting room, working with
Mrs. Hardy, while Maud was in the gar
den' picking some fruit for tea.
Presently the occupants of the parlor
were startled by sharp cry from Mond
ana IN another instant she flew into the
room, rushed at a bound to the fireplace,
snatched down her light rifle from its
nooks over the mantel, and, CRYING.
Quick, Ethel, your rifle was gone
again in an instant.
Mrs. Hardy and Ethel sprang to their
feet, too surprised for the moment to do
anything, and then Mrs. Hardy repeat.
ed Maud's words, Quick, Ethel. your
rihew 'O"'
Ethel seized it, and with her mother
ran TO the door. Then they saw a sight
which brought scream from both their
lips. Mrs. Hardy fell on her knees and
covered her eyes, while Ethel, after |
moments pause, grasped the rifle, which |
had nearly fallen from her hands and
ran forward, though her limbs tremhIed
so that they could scarcely carry her on
The sight was indeed n terrible one |
AT distance of two hundred yards Hu. |
bert was riding for his life. His hat was
on his gun was gone, his face was dead.
ly pale. Behind him rode three Indians
Inc nearest one was Immediately behind |
MIN, Mt distance of scarce two horses, |
length; the other two were close TO their |
leader. All were evidently gaining upon
him. ''A
CTo be continued.l