The Huttig news., 1908-02-08
CONTINUED FRcM LAST WEEK.

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 Yes, safe, perhaps, but this Is the i sink of the stream; the creek wateh's a heap betteh mile furtheh on"
 The mile was semi-perpendicular and brought them alongside brawl- ing stream, willow-hung, with splash ing trout in the still pools, and wild ducks skimming large pond at the edge of small mesa. After welcome i draughts for man and mule they veered away to another climb. The gorgeous evening pageant was nearly over when the team swung around sharp rocky point, and one of the lead CTS shied far out of the road. The driver brought them about to quick standstill, facing back.
 There's fresh blood ahead. That Cooly mule can smell it mile; it's the only thing he shies at. Hold these ribbons, young felleh, while prospect little."
 He came back presently, his weath- er-beaten face sobered and stern. Wake up in there! Them Injuns has blocked the road again"
 
 his long and noisy nap, climbed out with poor grace. "The old man has no business to send passengers over land without escort. It's an outrage. It isn't my business to clear the road." Here, come up here and hold the team! I'll help the driver,' Alfred called.
 i,'f vv,t{ k him! He don't" Uncle Billy inter rupted.
 But authority rang in Alfred's tone. The change had been made, and he was already stalking after the driver. Around the point the sight he sud denly came upon made him reel turn sick and white
 q know it would he too much for you, boy; but now yo're hyah get to work. We haven't minute to lose.'
 The road here was a narrow rock cut. Two white men lay across it., one scalped, the other with his throat gaping horribly. and more than a dozen arrows buried in his flesh. Be- yond, the ruins of an emigrant wagon blazed lazily.
 We cain't stop fo' anything but to cleah the road. These tracks come from Anthony's; and they're fresh and heap of 'em. The arrows are nearly all different; that means lot of tribes.' He spoke in low, tense tones while, as fast as possible, he threw the burning debris over the lower side of the cut.
 Alfred said nothing but joined in the labor with a quick skill that made Uncle Billy revoke his opinion of the small hands. Alfred's back was turned yet he could feel-see-those the gruesome spectacle behind What could be done? How should they be disposed of?-but there was no time for question.
 Can you beah hand hyah, Vim cent, and quick?"
 He turned. The driver had already lifted the shoulders of one; Alfred took the feet.
 Right toward hyah, round the point"
 "You-you aren't going toto leave"
 Yes, we'll have to, if we don't want to look the same way mighty soon!"
 Cant we put them in the stage? It's awful to leave them!"
 ''It may be worse to take them; and i'm afraid we'll need the stage for the living Tiff we get through"
 Alfred said no more; and Uncle Billy warmed to him as he saw the clear-cut jaw set and a steely light creep into the dark violet eyes.
 He's game!' Uncle Billy whispered to himself.
 Gently they disposed of the poor, mutilated bodies, and hurried back to the stage. The driver armed each passenger with a rife and revolver; and ordering Alfred beside him, and Phineas to keep the lookout from the top, he swung his team into the road and drove forward through the cut with slash and oath.
 Dark was stealing on, yet the suns goodnight glory still fingered, it's flaming banners striking into the over head darkness, flooding earth and heavens with strange, sinister color. Alfred thought of what lay behind. and gripped his gun sharply. The team slowed. and Uncle Billy no longer piled the lash.
 See that light there, away yon to the left?'
 Yes"
 That's Anthony's, the next station. Some ones alive there. and that some one is white. or there wouldn't be a candle light: the whole place would l be alight.' Relief unspeakable breathed in his words, and half mile passed in silence.
 'This is a terrible way to earn a living!' Alfred said at last
 Yes; but this jobs easy compared to the trick the pony express boys used to play"
 This is dangerous enough.> I won der the company can induce men to undertake the work Don't you find l 1t wearing?'
 "Oh yes I sunnosn if is Tie richt