Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-01-18


Gatlings and the trumpet calls fell
sharp and clear upon the shack. Dali
las, watching into the blackness from
her bench by the door, was up and
armed on the instant and leaning far
over the sill as If to see the better
through the dark. Soon she made out
something's .glimmer-that In the be-
ginning was redder than the fare Of
the lightning. fainter and more fixed,
swiftly deepened In color, spread wide
and rose. throwing into relief the In
tervening grove of cOttonwoods and
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 heard
before-of Fire."
Marylyn. touching her gently and
speaking low to save her a fright.
Honey, dear, honey. Hop up and see
what's happ'ning at the fort"
The younger girl scrambled to her
feet, putting out nervous hands to her
sister. Dallas quieted her, and they
stood together In the door.
And now, across the Missouri, the
guns and trumpets suddenly stilled
and the shouting lessened. while the
glow rapidly thickened into roaring
press of fame. before which darted
the troopers like flies in the light Of a
lamp.
my, myF' whispered Marylyn. her
voice Quavering with sorrow and awe.
She found her clothes and. keeping In
line with the door, began to dress.
''Tll put on my shoes, and we can
60 down a ways. SOS to see close.
shall ], DALI
a .4'Ehr Dallas was leaning out again,
her head lowered as II to listen. ALI
at once she turned and. kneeling. felt
on the door for her cartridge belt
Yes, yes" she answered. Put 'em
Dn-quickl'' ' isa
A-ksAre We going down to watch?"
mo"
The barracks and the stables were
high. cherry hued pyres, terrible
enough to the eye, with their tops
crooklng northward in the wind. To
Dallas ear they were far more terri
bic, telling of awful suffering. limiting
OF direful intent For the nearer pyre
sent proof of a 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 fusing in the heat Of
panic. Her unfailing instinct was
hardening a 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 a trembling hand. "Marylyn,
MaryIyn! The boat! She's goingY'
They looked and saw 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.
Il guess that's 1t" 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"
1t was the first cabin of Clothespin
row. Two or three men were near It
at that distance they seemed gaylJ
posturing to each other in dance.
''If anything is wrong" Dallas said
mr.. Lounsbury'll come back"
"Mr. LounsburyP' repeated Marylyn
WAS he hereT
ION this side. by the grove. saH
him start for the fort"
And so their going was delayed.
Nevertheless Dallas sense of coming
danger was acute. and when befor1
long she heard the trumpet again and
saw the troopers fall away from til,
pyres, leaving the flames to their work
she lit the lantern and held 1t to wbers
were stored her treasures-a lock G.
her mothers hair. her fathers piPe
the letter she had received from LounS
bury.
lyon take the cartridge belt" sae
called TO Marylyn.
The other obeyed.
Ready" said Dallas and lifted ia,
lantern to shake it.
She got no reply. Instead gaspinl
IN alarm. Marylyn came headlong Il
her. pinioning her arms with wildA
clinging ones. "Dallas. oh. help
Outside there was a sound Of raplt
running. Dallas flung herself agalns
the door. driving it shut. A secouj
and weight was hurled against th.
outer battens. Then came four raps
Don't open! Don'tr' cried May
Iyn. Maybe # amt Charley
But Dallas. undoubting. swung tht
door back. and into the room leaped .
STOPPING figure,
II was S0uaW Charley