Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-20

Abl III Z NV guy W
however much the Sioux avoided the
aden boughs they would stop to search
hem If there were not those ahead to
draw them past. And one Of those
ahead must be a woman.
SO she decided. Bending TO her SIS
Ter, she lifted her to n sitting position.
Honey" she said firmly, 'you see the
big trees there? The Indians are
afraid of EN-, remember. They'll go
by. Well put you up on a limb, and
sou keep quiet. You'll be safe. Well
go on for help"
yes. yes, Dallas, only | can't walk"
"Charley!' The elder girl babe him
assist. without understanding fully he
Dbeycd. Together they carried Mary
yn toward the cottonwoods, out Of
which several lank, gray bodies shifted
nto view and shot away. Dallas chose
tree that grew close to the steep
bank. Hero in the narrow space be-
tween trunk and rooty wall she or
llered Charley TO got down on all tours.
Then, taking Marylyn upon Der Shout
lers as before and stcadying herself
with boil hands. she stood on the
indians back. Little by little. hracing
with legs and arms, he raised his load.
Marylyn was now below q thick
branch. by reaching mp and summon
ing the remnant of her strength she
was able TO clasp it, TO put a foo over,
to get astride.
Lie down. continued Dallas. "rhey
won't stop. Don't speak"
IIurricdly she and Charley resumed
their way mp the wolf haunted bottom.
over rocks. through puddlcs, into pig
lny forests of cherry and plum. But
how. careless of lost time. Dallas ran
with backward looks and frequent
haltings, giving strict heed to the
whereabouts of those behind.
They had Travelled Il good distance
when she Judged that the savagcs
were nearing the burial place. that the
the time for her ruSe was come. Let
ting the outcast 20 IN, she paused for
breath; then lifted her voice and sent
back through the night a long, inviting
Fall.
Down the wind came instant answer
IA great howl Of glce. And as If her
presence ahead was unexpected, as if
it tempted to Il better speed, a iargon
of cries swellcd h|ideously and drew
on.
shes safe shouted Dallas exult
anuy. "Charley, she's safe!'
Another yowl from a score of
throats.
And now began n race
From the start it was unequal and
the gain on the side Of the pursuers.
Gradually but surely the rods de-
creased between quarry and pack.
The sweat dreening from their faces.
Squaw Charley and Dallas strained
forward. A little while and she whis-
pered. Cant go-stop-can't'-
Every breath was saving at her sore
lungs. She tottered, pitched forward
and went down.
1t was then that Charley pointed to
the front and as IL 10 a vantage place.
Dallas looked and saw at the end of
sheer walls an oblong opening of gray
ish light. She hailed it dumbly. There
was where the coulee narrowed until
a man standing in its bed with arms
outstretched could place the tips Of his
fingers against either rocky wall.
There a last stand might be made.
The Throat.
One helping the other, they dragged
themselves on and into the opening.
The time had narrowed. Close be
hind, crashing through a thicket, were
the warriors, announcing themselves
with shrill whoops.
Dallas waited, propped against q
stone. The words Of the old Texas
song began to run in her mind:
I'VE saw the Indians coming,
We heard them give n yell.
My feelings at that moment
No mortal tongue could tell"
She was spent. She had no hope of
being spared from death. Yet she was
strangely calm and unafraid.
"Marylyn II he happy she said. q
know John Lounshury well enough
for that"
She became conscious of thirst. \
branch Of wild roses shining with rain
drops bobbed above her. She ben the
flowers to her mouth one by one and
sucked their moisture, The gray of
the sky was turning TO pink. There
was a lifting foreSlow in the east.
See. Charley" she said. 'therell be
good light to fight in. But-but there's
just one charge
RIO BE CONTINUED,