Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-02-11

question indeed was blow az unex.
pected as 1t was direct and powerful.
IL know It's pooty pinted." the old
man added after IA short pause, IAN ye
may think tibet | amt got no business
askin' II. but have That leetle gnrs
pet o mine an I'm a-lookin' after
her an eXpcctin' to see tibet she's not
bothered 10y nobody who's not goin' to
do right by her. Margin Is a mighty
good thing. but
Kenton had been peeping under the
low hanging scrub oak boughs while
Oncle Jazon was speaking these last
words, and now he suddenly interrupt
I'd:
"The deuce, Look yonderwtle growl-
ed out I'm startling tone. "lnjunsr
IL was Il sharp snap Of the converse
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 little point OF the
prairie that cut into the wood quarter
OF "A mile distant
"Ynnders more of en-" said Oncle
Jazon. AZ II not In the least concerned.
wagging his head In an opposite dlrec-
ton. from which another squad was
approaching
That he duly appreciated the situa-
ton appeared only IN the CELEBRITY with
which he acted.
Kenton at once assumed command.
and his companions felt his perfect At
ness. There was no doubt from the
first as 90 what the Indians meant, but
even II there had been II would have
soon vanished, for In less than three
minutes twenty-one savagcs were
swiftly aud silently forming.a circle in
closing the spot where the three white
men. who had covered themselves as
best they could with trees. waited in
grim steadiness for the worst.
Quite beyond gunshot range. but near
enough for Oncle Jazon 10 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 rifemen as they knew most
border men to be. Indeed Long Hair
had personal knowledge Of what might
certainly be expected from both Ken
ton and Onele Jazon. They were terri
bic when out for nght. The red war
rioru from Georgia TO the great lakes
had heard OF them; their names smack
"a ~ tragedy. Nor was Beverley with
out fame among Long Hairs followers,
who had listened 10 the story OF his
lighting qualities brought 90 Vincennes
by the two survivors of the scouting
party so cleveriy defeated'by him.
"The liver colored towards" said
Kenton. are afeared OF US in a shoot
IN match They know that a lot OF
'em would have 10 die II they should
undertake an open fight with US It's
some sort OF q sneaiKtn' game they are
studyin' about just now"
I'm a-gittin' mos too ole TO shoot
wo'th cent" said Oncle JaZon, but
Ia give half o my scalp ef thet Long
Hair would come clost enough fo me
90 git bead onto his lef' eye. lt's,tOr-
ble plain thet we're gone eoslin's this
time, I'm thlnkin'. still II d be mighty
usfyin' II ! could plug outia lef' eye
or two fore | go"
Beverley was silent The words OF
hi, companions were heard by, him, but
not noticed. Nothing Interested him
save the thought OF escaping and max
ing his way 10 Clark. To failtmeant In
lultely more than death. of'which he
had as small fear as most brave men.
ara TO succeed meant everything that
llt could OFFER. SO in the unlimited
svlfishncss of love he did not stake his
companions into account
The three stood In n close setIclump
of four or five scrub oaks at the high
est point OF a :hinly wooded knolRthat
slopcd down in all directions to the
prairie. Their view was wide, butt In
places DISTRACTED by the trees.
Men," said Kenton after a thought
full and watchful silence, 1.-THE thing
looks kind O. squally for us. l don't
see much OF a chance TO get outtof this
alive, but we've got TO try"
lie showed by the density of his
voice and a certain gray hlmi In his
face that he felt the awful grpvity Of
the situation but he was calm, Iand not
n muscle quivered-
"They's Jes' two chances for us,
said Oncle Jazon. IAN them's asa slim
as n broom straw. We've got tolstan'
here an flght II out or wait till night
an sneak through atween 'em an run
for H."
Il don't see any hope o sneakin'
through the line" observed Kenton.
Its not goln' TO be dark tonight"
"Wa-a-L" Oncle JaZon drawkd non
chalantly while he took In q quid OF to-
bacco. eve been into tighter squeezes
an this many a time, an / got out
too"
Likely enough" said Kenton, still
rejecting while bis eyes roamed
oround tho circIa oft savappa