The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-12

w. ~ y =
Something Besides Duty Inspired Him;
He Was No Longer Merely a
Soldier.
creep as close in as they dare under
cover of darkness. Ill bet there are
twenty red snakes now within hum
dred feet of us-oh, don't SILVER and
lose your nerve! They'll not try to
close that gap yet; it's too dangerous
with us on guard and only one side OF
the coach exposed. That fellow was
trying us out a while ago, and they've
kept quiet ever since l let drive at
him. They know the limits Of the
safety zone, and will keep there until
Just before daylight. That is when
they'll try to creep up upon US. Have
you got the time?"
She opened her watch, feelin" for
the hands with her fingers, wondering
vaguely at her own calmness. TIE
cool resourcefulness Of Hamlin was
nike tonic.
TIT is a little after one O'clock"
she said slowly, although l am Lot
sure my watch is exactly right"
Near enough; there are signs Of
daylight at four-three hours left;
that ought to be sufficient, but with no
darkness to spare. Will you go with
me? Will you do exactly as l say?"
She drew a swift breath, holding
her hand to her side.
"Oh, yes" her voice catching, "what
what else can I do? l cannot stay
here with those dead mem"
But l want you to go because
well. because you trust me-" he urged,
q new trace of tenderness in his low
cred voice. Because you know
would give my life to defend you"
He was not sure, but he thought
her face was suddenly uplifted, her
eyes seeking TO see him in the dark
ness.
II do" she answered gravely, you
must believe l do; but l have never
been in such peril before, in such a
situation of horror, and l am all un.
nerved There doesn't seem to be any.
thing left me but-to trust you"
That is good; all can ask. know
you are all right, but l want you to
keep your nerve. We are going to take
8 big chance; we've got to do ia
single misplay, slip Of the foot, an
incautious breath may cost our lives"
Are you going to try to get away?
To elude the Indians?"
kSyy kl,1 e. hut
ity of successful creep the length Of
the gully there, and so reach the river.
Here is Gonzales belt. Don't be
afraid of it; it is not dead men who
are going to hurt us. Swing the strap
over your shoulder this way, and slip
!. the revolver into, the holster. That's
right; we'll carry as little as we can,
4 and leave our hands free" He hest.
tated, staring about in the darkness,
swiftly deciding what to take. "Do
you happen to know if either of the
passengers carried any grub?"
1Grub?"
plains term for food" impatiently
"rations; something for lunch en-
route"
ooh, yes, Mr.. Moylan did; said he
never took chances on having to &c
hungry. 1t was in a fiat leathe,
pouch"
"Haversack. I have it. That will
be enough to carry, with the canteen
Now there is only one thing more be
fore we leave. We must impress
those fellows with the notion that We
are wide-awake, and on guard yet. See
any movement out there?"
I'll am not sure" she answered
doubtfully. There is black smudg'
beyond that dead pony; lean forward
here and you can see what l mean
on the ground. II imagined 1t moved
Just then" She pointed into the dark
ness. TT is the merest shadow, bu
seemed to wiggle along, and thel
stop; it's still now"
Hamlin focused his keen eyes OF
the spot indicated, shading them will
one hand.
"Slide back further on the seat" b
whispered softly, "and let me in mex
the window" .-...... .--r......s
There was moments silence, tn
only sound the wind The girl grippe
the back Of the seat nervously wit
both hands, holding her breath; tn
Sergeant, the outline of his face 81
f. houetted against the sky. stared me
tionless into the night without. Sue
Il denly, not making a sound. he LITE
the rife to his shoulder.
CHAPTER viii.