The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-10-24
CHAPTER M.



Between Life and Death.
The remainder OF that day. as well
as much of the gloomy night follow
ing. composed a silent. lingering hor-
ror. The fierce pangs OF hunger no
longer gnawed. but q dull apathy now
held the helpless defenders. one Of
the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing
pitifully for his mother; an infantry
man. peering forth from his covert.
had been shot in the face. and his
scream echoed among the rocks IN
multiplied accents OF agony while
Wyman lay tossing and moaning. mer-
cifully unconscious. The others rested
in their places, scarcely venturing to
stir a limb, their rowing. woldsh eyes
the only visible evidence OF remaining
life. every hope vanished, yet each
man clinging TO his assigned post of
duty in desperation. There raj but
little nriug-the defenders nursing
their slender stock. the savages BIZ
ding their time. When night shut down
the latter became holder. and tainted
cruelty those destined TO become so
soon their hapless victims. Twice the
maddened men fred recklessly at
those dancing devils, and M pitched
forward. emitting a howl Of pain that
caused His comrades to cower once
again behind their covers. One and
all these frontiersmen recognized the
inevitable-before dawn the end must
come. No useless words were spoken;
the men merely clinched their teeth
aud waited.
hampton crepl closer In beside the
girl while the shadows d%eepcned, and
ventured TO touch her hand Perhaps
the severe strain Of their situation,
the Intense loneliness Of that Indian
haunted twilight. had somewhat soft
ened her resentment, for she made no
effort now TO repulse him.
kid" he said at last, are you game
for a try az getting out Of this?'
She appeared TO hesitate over her
answer. and he could feel her tumultu-
Gus breathing. Some portion OF her
aversion had vanished
Come, Kid" he yentured finally.
yet with new assurance vibrating IN
his low voice; this is surely a poor
time and place for any indulgence IN
tantrums and you've got mor sense
I'm going 20 try to climb up the face
Of that cliff yonder-its the only pos.
sible way out from here.-aud ! pro
pose TO take you along with me
She s%uatched her hand roughly
| away. yet remained facing him. Who
gave you any right TO decide what /
/ should do2"
The man clasped his fingers tightly
/ about her slender arm. advancing his
face until he could look %squarcly into
hers She read In the lines OF that de-
| termlned cu|untenance a in1oxible re-
solve which oyermastercd her.
Tho right given by Almighty God
60 protect ans one Of your sex In
peril. he replied. Before dawn those
savage hends win be upon us. We are
utterly helpless There remains only
one possible path for escape. and be,
lieyo ! have discovered t. Now my
girl. you either climb those rocks with
me, or I shall klti you where you are.
u Is that. or the Sioux torture. ! have
two shots LEFT In this gun.-ono for
you. the other for myself The time
has come for deciding which Of these
alternatives you prefer
III / select your bullet rather than
the rocks. what thcn2'
You win get Il, but In that case you
viii die Ike a fool
You have believed me 10 be one
all this afternoon.
Possibly, he admitted. your words
and actions certainly justified some
such conclusion. but the opportunity
has arrived for causing me 10 reyis,
that suspicion
Il don't care "a have You revise Il
Never Once Did the Man Loosen Hi'
orasping Grip Of His Companion.
Mr.. Bob Hampton. II 60. shall hate
you Just the same"
Hampton's teeth clicked like thos'
or an angry dog. Hate and b
damned. he exclaimed roughly. al
I care about now Is to drag you out o
here alive"
Wen. u you put It that way" shI
said. 'Iu so"
Come on. then. he whispered. hi
fingers grasping her sleeve
CrO BE CONTINUED
Norwegian Leper AsylumH.