The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-04-13

OF love d caring TOT.
mot many men could have held out
so we'll as you have. Charlie" she said.
using the last word hesitatingly. as
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 we'll as a rank and fle
man." he interrupted gayly. "Of
| course l don't think l lack nerve or
endurance. It's only that l 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 a
sharp report. A bullet had fattened
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-
Gle Of his rife. "They will not suspect
the old trick, as they have just seen
you moving. Now
She pushed the muxzle Of his rifle
toward the %entrapce, 80 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 lattened against the rock.
"That empties their guns" the girl
cried. II know they have no rifles
from the way they have been firing.
Wait! Let me shoot. I have had more
practice than you"
She slipped by him to the cave
opening. where she dropped at full
length in order to use the rifle with
her uninjured arm.
Below she could see three indians
hurrying toward the w 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 II 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 exultation that the middle In.
dian was the one she had seen giving
directions all through the siege, evi,
IDENTIFY the chief. With him gone the
danger would very likely be over.
There were a quick flash and a re-
port, and then she slipped back into
the cave.
81 shot him through the hip" she
explained in answer to their inquiring
looks. 81 don't like to really kill
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. l don't think they will
trouble US any more"
But she was mistaken. MaddeneG
by the loss of one of their number. the
two other Indians, after taking him tt
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 ne
heart for making IN attack upon them
intrenched us 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 ut a conclusion. Then they
were seen gathering wood.
"Great heavens!' exclaimed Charlie
"They're going to try to burn or smoke
us out!'
." don't think they will succeed.
said Gertie calmly.
"Why?" asked Rob.
"They must get above us and drol
the firebrands down before the moutl
of the cave. There is only n path b!
which they a climb, and down Their
to the left we can see a dozen feet o
it. They must pass that point to ge
above us. and unless we miss them w
can shoot them"
"They may make a quick DASH" sai'
Kate, who was fast losing her equa
nimity.
81 can do one of them,'' said Charlie
"and know Gertie can do the other
1t was half an hour before the IN
dams had gathered wood sufficient L
make the attempt. Then they disup
peared. The besieged got ready t
drop them as they passed the opel
space where they could be seen. Ger
trude and Charlie each took a rifle, lev
eled 1t on 4 rest with the muzZle point
ed to the space, knowing that the.
would have but a few moments Il
which to fire. Presently an Indian
covering his side with the wood. shO
out into the open. Gertrude's riff
cracked, and he limped back She ha'
shot him in the foot.
They waited. some time for the othe
man, but the next they saw Of hiuI b
was helping his companion away. q
"Now what shall we do?" aske
Charlie Elson, some Of the old depres
sion returning to his voice. "Our wac
on is burned, and all the horses are cal
ried on except the two which got ava