The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-05-24
CHAPTER IX.--fcontinned.l

8HMtiIl0k UeT tnr .hiSA-
Excuse me-" said Kate, Il have but
an indifferent facet
Swords and pistols, what silyery
voicew exclaimed the gallant colonel.
-Come, no sass, cap'n! cried Joe,
vparningly, riding nearer to Kate.
~Be little careful" retorted Cunning
Aam-
Miss Martin turned her face toward
che Tory leader, and the bright moon
shining upon it rendered its fair fea-
ea1res perfectly visible.
-what loveliness :" exclaimed the colo
seS. invoIuntarily, and at the same time
Hsfss his hand on the bride rein OF Vic
gDr.
-TIands off, cap'n," said Joe.
Back, fellow" thundered Cunning
fan, in passion.
III shall protect her with my life
eaf5 Joe.
~Bc quiet, or I'll fire y exclaimed the
eualonel, lereling his pistol at sawyeFs
breast.
Il see you are an officer" said Kate,
FIRMLY; "and l trust you are gallant
eentIeman. Let us pass on without fur
eser. words"
eff / had not seen that exquisite face,
prrtty maiden, you might have gone on
ass fast and as far as you pleased; but the
s5xht of so much beauty has made me
little giddy."
Joe spurred bis horse, and he reared
and pressed hard against the colonel,
which greatly enraged him, and he dis
charged his pistol at Kate's defender.
The ball took effect in his right side,
ard fnfiicting slight wound. glanced OF
without doing any serious injury. Joe
EisxfantIy drew heavy horse pistol from
g1se breast pocket of his coat, and bend
lsax forward, gave Cunningham a stun
nSnx blow upon the head, which knocked
him senseless.
''sspur on, Queen Kate ~ cried Joe.
Victor, feeling himself at liberty once
more, sprang over the body of the colo
snnl and swept onward at his best speed.
e'If's no time to let the grass grow
vn1er our feet. Cunningham will be up
and after MS with his fellows added
Sawyer.
They had galloped forward for ten or
fifteen minutes, when Joe stopped and
said he believed they had taken the wrong
nnad- He examined the locality as well
as he could, and was still in doubt in
rsegard Co the matter. This circumstance
pefpIexed Kate greatly, for she Felt that
every moment was precious.
Decide quickly" she exclaimed, "for
xhis delay makes me exceedingly nervous"
@I'll obey you, Queen Kate, as soan
ass possible. 1t strikes me that 1t would
NE better to stay where we are than to
% In the wrong direction"
Joe now dismounted, and requesting
Kate to hold his horse, surveyed the To-
Gality more minutely. In short time
ne returned and informed her that they
Aad left the main and direct road, but
chat the one they were now in would lead
1hem into it again. They proceeded with
ness speed and some uncertainty; and
Che latter feeling became so strong in the
minds Of both that they were induced to
hait for the second time. While Joe sat
Nrresolute about going forward, an omin-
aus sound reached his ears, and not his
/. only, but Kate's.
The tramp of many horsesw exclaim-
I'D the latter, in a suppressed tone of
. voice. n
"Curningham's cutthroats,' said Saw.
ger.
What is to be doneT asked Kate,
last, JOc. y
Remain where we are and trust TO
! asc5k- Perhaps they'll take the other road
and in that case we shall stand a pretty
raair chance Of getting clear Of them"
'.And IL we SHOULD not elude them,
what thenY asked Kate, earnestly.
THE case Is very plain. so far as I
, am concerned / shall be shot down on
the spot, bscause l. struck the villain,
,.GunpEngnam."
Kate for the first time felt something
analogous to fear. She heard the clatter
Of hoofs, and felt but too keenly that
her enterprise was in peril. But she was
Ear too unselfsh to forget poor Joe Saw
ger; his genuine gratitude and rough
Kindness had already had the effect to
make her regard him with feelings Of
kriendship.
-I'r thinking of you, joe" said Kate,
gently.
..Bless you, Miss Martin, don't trouble
yourself TO think of me; / couldn't die
Sn a better cause. I've got some pretty
little instruments about me, which per-
(, haps you'd better take. Here they are.
You perceive they are brace of small
/. and beautifully finished pocket pistols;
and they are so nest srd diminutiye with
al, they seem to be made on purpose for
a lady. It's very evident to me that
shere's considerable real spirit and cour-
age about you, notwithstanding your sex
and IL worst should come to worst, what
could hinder you from using one Of those
cunning little fellowsT
Il thank you very much J" exclaimed
Kate, taking the pistols eagerly. "Don't
frnr--I know how to use them as we'll as
you do. I'm not such a poor helpless
creature as those Of my sex are generally
eupposed to be-"
-Hear the blackguards! They shake
t1e ground with their hard riding