Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-03

opening. where she dropped at fuii
length In order to use the rife with
her uninjured arm.
Below she could see three Indians
hurryiug toward rhe cave. Evidently
they had remained behind. hiding IN
some crevice in hope of the besiegrd
coming forth when the main body
rode away.
Believing their bullets had pierced
the head they thought inside the hat
and thus deprived the cave of one OF
its few defenders. they were rushing
forward TO complete the work before
following the main body
Gertie recognized with q sudden feel.
ing Of exultation that the middle In
dian was the one she had seen giving
directions all through the siege. evil
IDENTIFY the chief. With him gone the
danger would very likely be over.
There were a quick fash and a re-
port, and then she slipped back iatO
the cave.
II shot him through the bip." she
explained in answer to their inquirinc
looks. I'll don't like to reully kilt
any one. but he won't fight again. He
was the chief. so they could not leave
him. They are carrying him TO their
ponies now. which they have conceal
ed somewhere. ] don't think they will
trouble us any more
But she was mistaken. Maddened
by the loss of one of their number. the
two other Indians. after taking him TO
cover. were seen looking up at the cave
and talking to each other. evidently
celebrating upon a new plan of at
tack. They were aware that the par
ty was not strong, but they had no
heart for making an attack upon them.
intrenched as they were in SO strong
a position. They wished to circum-
vent them. Presently by their panto-
mime the besieged discovered that they
had arrived at a conclusion. Then they
were seen gathering wood.
Great heavensr' exclaimed Charlie.
They're going to try to burn or smoke
us outv'
81 don't think they will succeed"
said Gertie calmly.
"Why?" asked Rob.
'"Tbey must get above Us and drop
the firebrauds down before the mouth
OF tue cave. i Is Obiy Out IJulu ~
which they can climb. and down there
to the left we can see u dozen feet Of
It. They must pass that point to get
above US. and unless we miss them we
can shoot them"
They may make quick DASH" said
Kate. who was fast losing her equa-
nimity.
II can do one of them" said Charlie.
land know Gertie can do the other"
It was half an hour before the In
dams had gathered wood sufficient to
make the attempt. Then they disap-
peared. The besieged got ready to
drop them as they passed the open
space where they could be SEEN Ger
trude and Charlie each took rifle, lev
eled it on a rest with the muzzle point
ed to the space. knowing that they
would have but a few moments IN
which to fire. Presently an Indian.
covering bis side with the wood. shot
out into the open. GPrtrude's rife
cracked. and he limped back. She had
shot bin IN the foot.
They waited some time for the other
man. but the next they saw of him he
was helping his companion away.
Now what shall we do?" asked
Charlie Elson, some of the old depres-
sion returning to his voice. '-Our wag-
on is burned, and all the horses are car.
ried off except the two which got away
and ran across the plain. think
maybe they will come back to US when
their fright wears Off. But how can
we go on without wagons"
Gertie's face looked thoughtful.
Suppose we don't go on" she sug-
gested. THE land is beautiful around
here and the soil rich. and we would
always have this cave 10 protect us
should there be any more danger.
And then there is a fine spring of wa
ter. and
There was a look in her eyes which
brought Charlie Elson to her side with;
eager questioning in his own.
"You-you don't mean, Gertie, that
that-why, I'm fifteen years older and
an incompetent, and-you do?" as the
look in her eyes slipped down into a
tender tremulousuess about her lips.
Then We'll stay" a sudden vibrant
ring of strength coming into his voice.
I'VE could hardly find a prettier coun-
try. We VIII make a home on the
4 "a Al.