Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-08

under his blanket, began monotonous-
| ly to speak in his own tongue.
Jim and Bill both tried to follow the
works, 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 a 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
Eup and down In his saddle"
Bill smiled as Jim answered: ooh,
an Ehglishman. What's his bust
ness?"
"The Chief says he does not know,
but be on your guard
/ Bill and Jim exchanged glances.
Surely it was not, for this that Taby-
wana had paid 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, SIS that all?"
Tabywana understood more of the
/ language of his conquerors than he
admitted, and quickly answered the
question through Baco. mo. some
/ thing else-very important" Then
Tabywana himself added, "Bud Hardy
is here"
At these words Bill who had been
listening listlessly, turned sharply 10
watch the Indians face. In the crafty,
restraining expression he could read
the effort at control that the Chief
was exercising as he emitted the SEN
De- Or, III ~
Jim, THAT Is bad--very bad. Trouble
talking and drinking a great deal, and
Cash Hawkins, and Hardy will, he
is afraid, soon arrest some one"
Jim did not answer. Tabywana
moved 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 81 pike 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 q reverie So
Bud was up to some devilment-but
what? Then he heard the words:
1 The Chief says that Hardy is no
friend Of yours" and Jim's quick
reply, "Tell the Chief 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 a blow-hard, anyway"
Bill muttered.
! Jim was about to rise and end the
interview when. looking cautiously
about him, ;Tabywana began speaking
in lower tone. Baco translated with
out pause the thoughts that were
troubling the Indian. 1.-THE Chief
thinks that Hardy thinks that maby
Nat-u-ritch killed Cash Hawkins"
Jim only let slip the word "Nat-ll-
ritch, "lbut' 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, SO he lightly dismissed
the idea with a laugh as he said. bud
must have been unusual drunk" Bill
had never understood the affair He
now began to feel the old suspicion
creeping back. Had the boss. in self
defence. 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:
$50 Bud thinks Nat-u-ritch killed
Cash. Why there isn't scrap of evil
dence pointing towards Nat-u-ritch
Ask him what makes Bud think So
This time Jim listened intently for
the answer.
Gle 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"
Z. That Is impossible. The Chief
knows that we cannot refuse shelter
to the white man."
Bill this tima upheld Jim's attitude
in maintaining the laws of the place
as he added. Even though he is a
bad man."
/ Tabywana looked from one to the
other. There was piteous look af
bafaed hope on his face. In his
heart he was wishing that they would
not take his words of wisdom SO
lightly, but it was difficult to explain
more to them. Despairingly he offer
ed further advise, and Baco repeated
1t for him, but Jim answered:
"The Chief knows that the rights
of hospitality are sacred. Besides, I
do not anticipate any trouble
I. He rose to his feet He would
be extremely 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
Sheriff's part that had frightened the
loid Chief. He laid his hands on Taby-
wana's shoulder. For Nat-u-ritch' S
father, he had tender regard, and
/ the generous tolerance he had for and