Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-09-04
CHAPTER NI.-tContinuedJ

voice, as ner sister joined ner; Iu-
bert's life depends upon your aim. Wait
till | fire, and take the man on the right.
Aim at his chest"
The sound of Mauds steady voice acted
like magic upon her sister; the mist
which had swum before her eyes cleared
off; her limbs ceased to trembe, and her
hand grew steady. Hubert was now with
in a hundred yards, but the leading In
dian was scarce horses length behind.
He had his tomahawk already in his
hand, in readiness for the fatal blow. An
other twenty yards and he whirled it
round his head with yell Of exultation.
"Stoop, Hubert, stoop!' Maud cried
in loud, clear voice; and mechanically.
with the wild war whoop behind ringing
On his ears, Hubert bent forward on to the
horses name. He could feel the breath
of the Indians horse against his legs,
and his heart seemed to stand still.
Maud and her rifle might have been
taken for a statue, so immovable and
rigid did she stand; and then, as the In
dams arm went back for the blow,
crack, and without a word or a cry the
Indian fell back, struck with the deadly
little bullet in the center of the forehead.
Not SO silently did Ethels bullet do its
work. a wild cry followed the report:
for an instant the Indian reeed in his
saddle, and then, steadying himself, turn
ed his horse sharp round, and with his
companion galloped off.
Hubert, as his horse passed through
the gate and drew up, almost fell from
his seat; and it was with the greatest
difficulty that he staggered toward Maud,
who had gone off in dead faint as she
saw him ride on alone.
Ethel had sat down on the ground,
and was crying passionately, and Terence
came running down from the house with
gun in his hand, pouring out Irish
threats and calculations after the In
dians. These were changed into shout
of triumph as Charley stepped from be-
hind the hen house, as they passed at a
short distance, and at the charge of his
double barrels the unwounled Indian fell
heavily from his horse.
Anxious as he was to assist his young
mistress, for Hubert was far too shaken
to attempt to lift Maud from the ground.
Terence stood rivcted to the spot, watch
ing the remaining Indian. Twice he reel
ed in the saddle, and twice recovered
himself, but the third time, when he was
distant nearly half mile, he suddenly
fell off to the ground.
Il thought the numbering thief had
got it, muttered Terence to himself, as
he ran down to raise Maud, and with
the assistance of Sarah to carry her up to
the house, against the doorway of which
Mrs Hardy was still leaning, too agi-
tated to trust herself 10 walk.
Hubert, now somewhat recovered, en-
deavored to pacify Ethel, and the two
walked slowly up toward the house. In
IA minute or two Charley came running
up, and the poems were seen hurrying
toward them. After a silent shake of the
hand to his brother, and short Thank
God" Charley, with his accustomed en-
ergy, took the command
Hubert, do you and Terence get all the
arms loaded at once. Lopez, tell the
poems to hurry up the plow oxen, shut
them in the inclosure and paddock all the
gates. will warn You if there's any
danger. Then bring all the men and
women up here. | am going to run up the
danger flag. Papa is out somewhere on
the plains SO saying, and taking his
Colts carbnc, he ran up the stairs.
In moment aftcrward his voice was
heard again. Hubert, Terence, bring
all the guns that are loaded up here at
once-quick, quick!' and then he shouted
loudly in Spanish, Come in all; come in
for your lives.' In another minute they
Joined him on the tower with Mr.. Hardy's
long rifle, Hubert's carbinc, and their
double-barreled shotguns, into each of
which TnrnnNa IrnnnaH 1,,,llNt thn
top of the shot. Hubert could scarcely
help giving a cry. At n distance of a
quarter of mile Mr.. Hardy and Fitz-
gerald were coming along, pursued by at
least a dozen Indians, who were thirty or
forty yards in their rear. They were
approaching from behind the house, and
would have to make a sweep to get round
10 the entrance, which was on the right.
on the side facing the dam. This would
evidently give their pursuers slight ad-
vantage.
They hold their own" Charley said
after a minutes silence there is no
fear Lopez" he shouted, run and SEQ
that the outside as well as the inside
gates are open"
II think you might use the long rifle
now" Hubert said ut might stop them
n they feel that they are in reach OF our
guns"
"No, no." Charley said, 81 don't want
10 stop them; don't show the end of
gun above the wall" Then he was ST.
lent until his father was within three
hundred yards. lie then shouted at the
top OF his voice, "Nlind the outside fence:
mind the outside fcncc!
Mr.. Hardy raised hand to show that
he heard, and as he approached Charley
shouted again. "Swcep well round the
fence. well round It, for them to try and
cut you on"
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