Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-25
DAILY SHORT STORIES


using the last word hesltaHDgly. as
though not quite accustdped TO il.
You have scarcely slept ntiall since
we've been I'm the cave. aud you have
kept US laughing most of the time with
your funny talk"
Done fairly we'll as rank and tile
man. he Interrupted gayly. "Ot
course l don't think | lack nerve or
endurance. It's only that need n
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 rhud. followed by n
sharp report. A bullet had tlatteued
against the rock near his head Gertie
caught his arm and drew him back.
Here" she cried. snatchng 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 Hattened against the rock
THAT empties their guns" the girl
cried. 81 know they have no rifles
from the way they have been firing.
Wait, Let me shoot. 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 cave. Evidently
they had remained behind. hiding i'm
some crevice in hope of the besieged
coming forth when the main body
rode away.
Relieving 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 sudden feel
ing of eXultation that the middle In.
dian was the one she had seen giving
directions all through the siege, cvi-
IDENTITY the chief With him gone the
danger would very likely be over.
There were a quick fash and n re-
port, and then she slipped back into
the cave.
II shot him through the hip" she
explained In answer to their inquiring
looks. IL don't like 10 really kill
any one, but he won't fight again. He
was the chief, so they could not leave
him. They are carrying him 10 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 tho cave
and talking TO each other. evidently
celebrating upon new plan of at
tack. They were aware that the par
~ was not strong, but they had no
heart for making an attack upon them.
intrenched ms they were I'm so strong
position. They wished TO clrcum.
vent them. Presently by their panto-
mime the besleged discovered that they
had arrived at n conclusion Then they
were seen gathering wood.
Great heavens" exclaimed Charlie.
They're going TO try to burn or smoke
us outw
81 don't think they Will succeed"
said Gertie calmly.
"WhyY asked Rob
'They must get above us and drop
the ilrebrands 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 dozen feet Of
It, They must pass that point 10 get
above us. and unless we MISC them we
can shoot them"
They may make a quick DASH" said
Kate, who was fast LOSING her cqua.
nimity.
II can do one of them" said Charlie,
"and know Gertie can do the other"
IL was half an hour before the In.
dams had gathered wood sufficient TO
make The attempt. Then they dlsap-
peared. The besiegcd got ready to
drop them as they passed the open
space where they could be seen. Ger
trude aud Charlie each took rife. lev
cled II Oh rest with the nuzzlc point
cd TO the space. knowing that they
would have but few moments in
which to fire. Presently an Indian.
covering his side with The wood. shot
out into the open. Gorlrude's rifle
cracked. and nc 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 bis companion away
wow what shall we dor asked
Charlie Elson. some Of the cid dcprcs-
sion returning 20 bis voice "Our wag.
on is burned, aud all the horses are car
ried of 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
GcTtic's fnpp looked ffott,Iffuf