Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-02

the lightning, fainter and more tixet
 swiftly deepened in color, spread wid and rose throwing into relief the in
 tervenng grove of cottonwoods am
 the form of man who was racing riv
 erward from the swale He disappear
 ed. swelling the distant clamor with
 cry-a dread cry she had never hear,
 before-of Fire"
 Presently she went in and bent ovel
 Marylyn, touching her gently ant
 speaking low to save her a fright
 Honey, dear, honey. Hop up and set
 what's happ'ning at the fort"
 The younger girl scrambled to hel
 feet, putting out nervous hands to hel
 sister. Dallas quieted her, and they
 stood together in the door. l And now, across the Missouri the
 guns and trumpets suddenly stilled and the shouting lessened, while the glow rapidly thickened into roaring press of flame, before which darted the troopers like flies in the light of a lamp.
 My. my!" whispered Marylyn, her voice quaverng with sorrow and awe. She found her clothes and, keeping in line with the door, began to dress.
 'EI'll put on my shoes, and we can go down ways, sos to see close. Shall I, Dal'-
 "Sh"' Dallas was leaning out again, her head lowered as if to listen. All at once she turned and, kneeling, felt on the floor for her cartridge belt. "Yes, yes" she answered. Put 'em on-quick"
 Are we going down to watch?"
 No"
 The barracks and the stables were high, cherry hued pyres. terrible enough to the eye. with their tops crooking northward in the wind. To Dallas ear they were far more terri ble, telling of awful suffering, limiting of direful intent. For the nearer pyre sent proof of sacrifice. She could hear the screams of horse.
 The belt found, she stepped back to the door, Hurry. hurry" she said. The old iron resolve never to desert the shack was fusine in the heat of panic. Her unfailing instinct was hardening new one that ruled for immediate flight.
 Marylyn was working with her shoe thongs, not stopping to thread them. only to wind and tie them around her ankles. She heard her sister exclaim. Then she was seized and brought for ward by trembling hand. "Marylyn. Marylyn. The boat. She's going"
 They looked and saw a black fun neled bulk floating across the watery strip mantled by the blaze.
 Maybe they thought it'd burn," sug- gested Marylyn. See. there's sparks flying that way"
 Dallas leaned back against the door. q guess-that's it." she said slowly. Then after moment But why didn't they bring her straight across? There's no place to tie up down stream"
 Why. there's fire breaking out all over now" cried the younger girl. for getting to be afraid in her wonder and excitement. See. One of the little houses is caught"
 It was the first cabin of Clothespin row. Two or three men were near it. At that distance they seemed gayly to each other in q dance.
 If anything is wrong" Dallas said. "Mr Lounsbury'll come back"
 "Mr Lounsbury" repeated Marylyn. Was he here:"
 "On this side. by the grove saw him start for the fort"
 And go their going was delayed.
 Nevertheless Dallas sense of coming danger was acute. and when before long sne heard the trumpet again and saw the troopers fall away from the pyres. leaving inc flames to their work. she lit the lantern and held it to where were stored her treasures-a lock of her mothers hair, her fathers pipe. the letter she had received from Louns- bury.
 You take the cartridge belt" she called to Marylyn.
 The other Obeyed.
 Ready" said Dallas and lifted the lantern to shake fl.
 She got no reply. Instead. gasping in alarm. Marylyn came headlong to her. piniOning her arms with wildly ones. Dallas! Oh. help Outside there was a sound of rapid Dallas flung herself against he door. driving fl shut A second and a weight was hurled against the ,uter battens Then came four rapS. Don't open. DOn't:' cried Mary yn. ''Maybe it aIn't Charley But Dallas. Hndoubting. swung the ioor hack. and into the room leaped 6 ! stOoplRg figure It was SgHaw Charley He erouched and moved his head rom side tO side. as if expecting a gI0w or q bullet from behind His fght hand held a bow. his left a bun He uf arrows With these he EeckOnel ! -inBenrIE. shaking the water from his altered clothes and pointing over his . IsultEer to the vest
 We're coming Chzriey- Dearie. 4and up Now. Haw- MzryIyn was lrz-gesi to her feet The light was IuazrheH- The oEfesst faced about. I InsI the three headed fer the river. Tfth ghzriey leading ct q frpt-
 Ihey paass1 for tie last tine near bs river end gf the corn a7d close to