Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-08

night on the ranch. Jim readily acquiesced.
Now that he had taken the final step to
sever himself from the ranch, there were
many details to be personally directed and
settled. Bill and he were often In con-
ference, and the sale could be accomplished
| within few days. While Bill worked; he
watched Bud and Clarke OF his suspicion
| that they were trying to take some I'M
fair advantage. he did not speak. Only
his ferret-ike glances constantly followed
them. And mis- instructive distrust was fur
Their aroused by visit from Tabywana.
AS he and Jim sat before the house. with
a list that Jim was explaining to Bill.
Baco, the half breed who worked about the
| place. suddenly called in greeting to Taby-
wana. With his bonnet of gorgeous teath-
| ers trailing down his back. his body draped
IN blanket. and in his hand the peace
pipe, the chief entered. How he an
swered. as he passed Baco. Both Bill and
Jim arose.
why. hello chief! Where'd you blow in
FROM, Bill! called.
Again Tabywana answered, How"
Jim advanced. Howl he said. THE
peace chief never comes except to do US
favor. Baco, ask him what we can do for
him.
AS Tabywana pointed to his pipe he spoke
to Baco. He says, Let us sit down and
| smoke" interpreted Baco.
Certainly" Jim answered. His years OF
him to their ceremonies. and the four men
crossed their legs and seated themselves on
the ground, forming a half-circle. Taby-
wanna began filling and lighting his pipe.
Baco." Jim commanded, tell Tabywana
that we are always glad to meet him and
see him face place He is our friend"
Baco quickly translated the message.
~ G,M began egg, passing the pipe from Jim
Say. when the old chief gets formal as
this 1t means business
The men. although eager to begin tho
proposed conversation did nothing to urge
the Indian to declare himself. Both cour-
teously awaited the chiefs information, al
though both chafed at this delay in their
work. When the pipe had been returned to
Tabywana he delibera tely extinguished the
fame. and. holding the pipe under his blan-
ket, began monotonously to speak in his
own tongue.
Jim and Bill both tried to follow the
words. but their knowledge of the language
was exceedingly limited, so Baco translated
for them. He says a stranger has been
asking for you in the settlement
What kind of Stranger" Jim asked,
his mind turning at once to the sale that
was about to be effected. The Indian agent
again interpreted the chiefs reply. "One
who jumps up and down in his saddle
Bill smiled as Jim answered: "Oh, an
Englishman. What's his business?"
The chief says he does not know, but be
on your guard
Bill and Jim exchanged glances. Surely
this formal visit. But jim who knew the
wary, slow methods of the Indians. and
who felt that something OF more Importance
was coming. looked straight at Tabywana,
as he asked, rs that alp"
Tabywana understood more of the Ian
guage of his conquerors than he admitted,
and quickly answered the question through
Baco. mo, something else-very impor-
tant." Then Tabywana himself added,
Bud Hardy is here
At these words Bill, who had been lis
tening listlessly, turned sharply to watch
the Indians face In the crafty, restrained
expression he could read the effort at con-
troll that the chief was exercising as he
emitted the sentences Baco translated for
him to Jim. That is bad-very bad. Trou-
BILE will follow. He says Hardy has been
talking and drinking great deal. and has
begun to talk about the death of Cash
Hawkins, and Hardy will he is afraid,
arrest some one"
Jim did not answer Tabywana moved a
little so that he could watch Jim. His face
wore an expression Of great curiosity as to
how his words would be received by Jim.
The chief had never known the exact truth
concerning the killing of Cash Hawkins but
he had often guessed that Nat-u-ritch and
Jim did. Jim did not answer. Bill spoke
to him as Baco. having performed his duty,
sank back and began playing with some
straws.
Jim. the old chief is trying to tell you
that Hardy has been Dragging that he was
going to arrest the fellow that killed Cash
Hawkins" Jim gave no sign that the news
in the least disturbed him.
Tell the old chief it's the fire-water
that's talking"
Bill sank deep into a reverie. So Bud was
up to some devilment-but what? Then he
heard the words:
THE chief says that Hardy is no friend
of yours and Jim's quick reply, Tell the
chief 1 didn't kill Cash Hawkins, so I'm not
afraid of arrest" Jim smiled reassuringly
at the chief. who constantly watched him
After all. what could Bud do to Jim? He's
blow-hard, anyway" Bill muttered.
Jim was about to rise and end the inter-
view when, looking cautiously about him,
Tabywana began speaking In a lower tone.
Baco translated without pause the thoughts
that were troubling the Indian. "The chief
thinks that Hardy thinks that maybe Nat
u-ritch killed Cash Hawkins
Jim only let slip the word "Nat-u-ritoh,"
but his eyes quickly sought the Indians,
and in them he saw there was fear for the
woman. To Bill this seemed nonsense.
There had never been an atom of suspicion
attached to Nat-u-ritch, he lightly dis
missed the idea with laugh as he said,
Bud must have been unusual drunk" Bill
had never understood the affair. He
began to feel the old suspicion creeping
back. Had the boss. in self-defense, done
the deed? If so, he must keep his watch all
the closer on Bud and his men to see that
they left the ranch as quickly as possible.
Jim quietly and calmly gave this answer
to the chief:
so Bud thinks Nat-u-ritch killed Cash.
Why, there isn't scrap Of evidence point
ing toward Nat-u-rtoh. Ask him what
makes Bud think So This time Jim lis
tened intently for the answer.
HE says he doesn't know. But that Bud
Hardy is bad medicine, and he wants you
to make Bud Hardy move on to the next
ranch
Bill grunted his approval at this.
THAT is impossible. The chief knows
that we cannot refuse shelter to the white
man."
Bill this time upheld Jim's attitude in
maintaining the laws of the place he
added Even though he is bad man..
Tabywana looked from one to the other.
There was pteous look of baffied hope on
his face. In his heart he was wishing that
they would not take his words of wisdom
lightly, but 1t was difficult to explain more
to them Desparingly he offered further
advice, and Baco repeated it for him, but
Jim answered.
THE chief knows that the rights of hos
pitality are sacred. Besides, l do not an
ticipate any trouble"
He rose to his feet. He would be eX
tremely wary of Bud Hardy, but he felt no
great concern. The affair had passed for
five years, and it was simply some drunken
bravado on the sherff's part that had
frightened the old chief. He laid his hands
on TabyWana's shoulders. For Nat-u-ritCas
father he had tender regard. and the