Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-15

were mute testimo mony. He couldn't see,' continued the colonel. "He was snow blind. They laid him out on a drift and rubbed him. The surgeon did the rest. He begged to see me. They brought him in, and he told his story. It's an old one. You've heard 1t. But it's always new too. This is Frank Jamieson, young,'
 As he heard his name the man stir .ed, strengthened nls legs and let fan his arms. He looked up.
 "Youngr' gasped Lounsbury. Good Godw The face was aged like the hair!
 Jamieson struggled weakly to his feet, using the wall to brace him.
 Colonel Cummings hastened across and lent the support of an arm. "No, mo-" he protested. You mustn't talk. You're too weak"
 But Jamieson did not heed. You an interpreterT' he asked in a rasping whisper.
 You're too weak''-
 "No, ain't; no, ain't. If he'll go with us Pm strong enough. Why, I shoveled snow on the special to Bis marck-that's how they let me ride and skating home I didn't stop to rest''- "Yes, yes, my boy, we know."< 'I walked and walked-straps broke Il forgot to tell you-that's why I had to. But it didn't do any good-it didn't do any good! When I got there"- AS if to shut out some terrible sight he screened his eyes with one palsied hand and sank back Imply into Colo nel Cummings arms. Lounsbury swept the cot clean of maps, and they laid him there. His father was dead" said the con- manding off1cer-"dead and naked scalped, mutilated, full of arrows and rife balls. The house and barns were burned"
 Any wolnen?'
 "Two-gone.'
 Jamieson put out his arms. 'fy mother!' he cried imploringly. My poor little mother!''
 Lounsbury knelt beside him, feeling shaken and half sick.
 eff I could only "a been there! But was way of at St. Paul. I knew something was wrong when the letters stopped"
 "But you must buck up. Jamieson," said the colonel "so you can help us."
 q will; oh, I willv'
 How'd you get down herey said Lounsbury.
 T didn't eat for long time. I was crazy. The snow blinded me, and was hungry. But I didn't leave the river. I knew enough for that. They found me-"
 'You think the women are alive, colonel?" asked the storekeeper.
 Undoubtedly, and with the other half of the very band we've got here somewhere up in the Big Horn coun- try" He took a turn up and down the room.
 May ask your plan?"
 ''We are in fine shape to talk terms to the captors. I'll send a command to them, demanding the women. If they are not surrendered I'll hang four of the redskins I've got here Lame Foot, the medicine man, and Chiefs Standing Buffalo, Canada John and Shoot-at-the- -Tree-all ringleaders Then the rest of the band will be put on a reservation. If the Jamieson wo- men are alive and they send lem in I won't hang the chiefs"
 "When Il the command startT'
 Three hours after we get an inter- preter. I've sent word up to Custer at Lincoln. But the delay! Think what 1t means to those women!"
 Tt was about two women that I wished to speak," said Lounsbury. He felt apologetic, however, the one dan ger was so trihing beside the other.
 Colonel Cummings listened. Those girls had better come here," he said as the storekeeper finished. "Then they'd be safe enough. I remember seeing one of 'em the day we got back. She was fine looking young woman"
 There are two arguments against their coming, sir. For legal reasons it's best they should not vacate the shack or leave the claim"
 q sec"
 And, again, the father is-well, he's rather sore about the war"
 "You don't say!'
 ''So, if you could give me a couple of men to take my place now and then during tie nighttime situation is tenn porery, you sec. the father Fl be back in few days"
 There are very strong reasons against my acting ia the matter. I'm here to keep an eye on the Indians. The settlers are expected to go to the civil authorities when they have quar- Teie. Now. I'd like to mix up with Snsnty Town, for instance. Our guard room Is jammed with men Sho'vc been druggci over there with vile whisky. Yet can't I can only pam ish my men,"
 ''I know that's so."
 'Of course I shan't see dcfcnseless women suffer-
 Lounsbury was piqued. Not alto gether defenseless, colonel. But I can't stay at the sbsck"-
 "True, true. Why not ask Mrs. Mar tin. Major Appleton's sister. to go over; Then you might guard from the barn. If they have one"