The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-01-27

though not quite accustomed TO it.
You have scarcely slept at all since
we've been in the cave and you have
kept us laughing most of the time with
your funny talk"
Done fairly well as a rank and file
man." he interrupted gayly. "Ot
course | don't think | lack nerve or
endurance. It's only that need a
leader with drawn sword. Now what
shall we do? r
He was moving toward the entrance
as he spoke. and with the last word
there came a dull thud. followed by
sharp report. A bullet had t1attened
against the rock near his head. Gertie
caught his arm and drew him back
Here" she cried. snatching his hat
swiftly and replacing it upon the muZ-
zle Of his rifle. They will not suspect
the old trick, as they have just seen
you moving. Now
She pushed the muZZle of his rifle
toward the entrance. so the hat could
be seen from below.
Almost instantly there were two
more thuds and reports. and this time
the bullets passed through the hat and
then tlattened against the rock.
THAT empties their guns" the girl
cried. IL know they have no rifles
from the way they have been firing.
Wait. Let me shoot. have had more
practice than YOU
hn Ill 70 hn
opening. where she dropped at fun
length in order to use the rifle with
her uninjured arm.
Below she could see three Indians
hurrying toward the cave. Evidently
they had remained behind. hiding in
some crevice in hope of the besieged
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 a sudden feel
ing of exutation that the middle In
dian was the one she had seen giving
directions all through the siege, evil
IDENTITY 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 into
the cave.
Il shot him through the hip" she
explained in answer to their inquiring
looks. IL don't like to really kill
any one. but he won't fight again. He
was the chief, 50 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. Maddeued
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 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.
intrenchcd 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 heavensw exclaimed Charlie.
They're going to try to burn or smoke
us OUT"
Il don't think they will succeed"
said Gertie calmly.
why" asked Rob.
They must get above us and drop
the frebrandS down before the mouth
of the cave. There is only one path by
which they can climb. and down there
to the left We can see a dozen feet of
1t. They must pass that point to get
above us. and unless we miss them we
can shoot them"
They may make a quick dash" said
Kate. who was fast losing her equa-
nimity.
Il can do one of them" said Charlie.
land | know Gertie can do the other"
1t 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 a rife, lev
eled it on q 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 his side with the wood. shot
out into the open. Gertrude's rifle
cracked, and he limped back. She had
shot him 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 a wagon?"
Gerties 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 to protect us
should there be any more danger.
And then there is a fine spring of wa
ND