The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-01-04

to share his scanty means with the
weak, emaciated creature they found
wandering on the plain-all that was
left of frontier massacre.
He never thought of taking her to a
trading post or transferring the bur-
den to some one with means and a
settled home. His only thought was
that henceforth they would be three
instead of two. Later she had devel-
oped into a beautiful, strong, lovable
girl, to the wonder and satisfaction of
himself and Kate
Now. only three months from the
rescue, she was returning the bread
upon the waters a thousandfold. AZ
she turned her face toward them for
an instant there was something of
the same expression in her eyes that
appeared in Kate's, though with diff
ference.
No one could be In the tender heart.
ed, irresponsible mans company long
without loving him and wanting to
care for him as she would for an af-
fectionate. helpless child.
And In Gertie's life. even before The
massacre of the harsh voiced fatheI
and stepmother. there had been little
of love and caring for.
mot many men could have held out
30 we'll as you have, Charlie" she said,
using the last word hesitatingly, as
though not quite accustomed to 1t.
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 rank and file
man." he interrupted gayly. ''Of
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 a
sharp report. A bullet had 1attSned
against the rock near his head. GSitie
caught his arm and drew him back.
Here" she cried. snatching his hat
swiftly and replacing it upon the muz-
zle of his rife. "They will not suspect
the old trick. as they have just seen
you moving. Now
She pushed the muzzle Of his rife
toward the entra nee, 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 fiattened against the rock.
"That empties their guns" the girl
cried. ~ 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 rife 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
it's 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, evil
IDENTIFY the chief. With him gone the
danger would very likely be over.
There were a quick fash and re-
port, and then she slipped back into
the cave.
81 shot him through the hip" she
explained in answer to their inquiring
looks. I'll don't like to really kill
any one. but be 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 humber, 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
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 conclusion. Then they
were seen gathering wood.
"Great heavens"' exclaimed Charlie.
They're going to try to burn or smoke
us outr'
81 don't think they will succeed"
said Gertie calmly.
"Why 2" asked Rob.
They must get above US and drop
the firebrands 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 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.
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 rife, lev
eled it on 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 wagons"
Gertie's face looked thoughtful.
Suppose we don't go on" she sug-
gested 1.-The land is beautiful around
here and the soil rich, and we would