Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-24

hall glide, half scurry across another patch
of open space, the earth tossed in little jets
by the few shots that hit close about him.
and then the powders hid him from their
view. All they could do was wait and listen
until somebody should tell them he had
reached their stricken comrade, and then,
shame-faced Mullins begged leave to go.
Stay where you are" said Dolan, land
shoot low. You've got the down-hll side"
1t was then that Dunn and Tracy perched
among the powders at the back, with or
ders to keep down the fire from that quar-
ter and check any attempt to rush them
shouted warning to the little party under
the ledge. Watch out, fellers! They're
sneaking on him from down there at the
road! Then indeed was the peril double,
for even Fame was hidden by the rocks
that strewed the hillside so were the In
dams who sought to creep forward. From
the clump of cedars both parties were now
invisible. Carbine in hand, Scott hastily
swung himself aloft and fiattened out like
squirrel on the upper level.
Il see them" he cried in eager triumph:
crammed a cartridge into his Sharp" took
long and steady aim, then fired. The bul-
let went spat against the face of a rock
not foot from the whte-turbaned
swarthy head barely protruding, and the
head popped Instantly out of sight There
was momentary check to the approach
from the roadway, then the storm from
right and left burst thrillingly on Scout
Down he came with sputter and slide and
nervous laugh. but conscious of work well
done, a diversion in favor of his young
chief.
And then. all on a sudden burst from
Mullins lips a cry of mingled triumph.
look at him. And there, full severity
yards away. with young Hayden's left arm
drawn down over the broad blue shouiicr,
with Hayden hanging helpless on his back.
half dead, yet conscious of the fearful
danger, Fame staggered into view, bending
almost double, but rushing from one rock
to another in the desperate hope of carry
fcr h oil tr,r h,,
ed In the torture of splintered bone and
lacerated flesh and sinew, in the terror of
seeing or hearing swiftdarting missiles
about and on every side, the poor lad could
not suppress his cries. Just as moment
before he was imporing aid. so now he was
madly begging: Put me down! l can't
stand it! Oh, for Gods sake put me down,
They'll kill us bOth!'
But all unheeding, relentless, grimly de-
termined, Fame came plungng on, and ev-
cry man within the refuge lifted up his
voice in cheer or prayer even eXecra
ton. Every carbine barked its blazing
answer to the Indian fire.
Once, not forty yards away, Fame stun
bled and down went carrier and carried
upon their faces in the sand But the
young athlete was up in an instant. Again
was Hayden seized and swung to the strong
young back. Once again down they went,
this time by design, between two rocks,
where there was at least partial shelter.
Then came the supreme moment, the last
effort, and now, do or die-there was an
open space or over forty Feet tnad must De
crossed at the run. They saw him moisten
his lips more from the battered and
dripping canteen: saw the despair and
agony in Hayden's woeful face; then, once
again, deaf to cry or entreaty Fame slung
him to his shoulder-that broken, bleeding
leg Tapping and dangling about the slender,
sinewy limbs. Now, give 'em hell mem:
they heard Dolan shout, and every eye had
to turn in search of pursuers or peering,
cruel faces sighting over the surrounding
rocks. Then with rush on came Fame
again, and pandemonium broke loose N
Tonic pass, for all the fiends OF the infer
nal region seemed out for a bowling holi-
day. Half two-thirds. the way, despite
hurtlng arrow and kissing lead, despite
splintering rock or scattering sand. the
daring fellow bore his senseless load. for
pain and terror had done their work at
last and Hayden had tainted. Then
down once more went Fame, still short pis-
tol shot from friends and refuge. and then
they saw that his exertions had been too
much for the restraining plaster that the
blood from his torn forehead was binding
him again He drew his flannel sleeve
across and swept 1t for the instant aside,
grasped again his almost lifeless burd IN
and plunged diZZily ahead, stumbled third
| time, some low outcrop sharing the moe
casned foot, yet caught himself and stag
gered on; and at last-God only knows
who turned aside those jagged. kissing,
death-dealing missiles-dropped all In
heap at the foot of the cedars, and was
dragged in by eager hands, lifted in by
stalwart arms, and borne beneath the shell
tering ledge, gasping for breath, exhausted
yet victorious, for there, too lay Hayden
white and limp senseless, but safe for the
day at least with Scott dripping whisky
down his thankless outlet.
yell all you like, you numbering dew
ils!" cried old Dolan. his voice all broken
with strain and emotion, but we've got
'em safe and sound and you'll never see
the chance again.!
Gro be continued tomorrow