The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-12
COPYRIGHT 1912 BY A.c.rcluRo a co

a W. W WY Co
They'll try us again just before
dark" he affirmed slowly, "but more
cautiously. If that attack fails, then
they'll endeavor to creep in, and take
us by surprise. It's going to be a
clear night, and there is small chance
for even an Indian to hide in that buff
falo-grass with the stars shining. They
have got to come up from below, for
no buck could climb down this bluff
without making noise. l don't see
why, with decent luck, we can't hold
out as we are until help gets here;
those fellows who rode away will re-
port at Canon Bluff and send rider
I. on to Dodge for help. There ought to
be soldiers out here by noon tomor-
row. What troops are at Dodge now?"
"Only single company-infantry,"
replied Moylan gloomily "All the rest
are out scouting long the Solomon
Damned if l believe they'll send us a
man. Those two towards will likely
report us all dead-otherwise they
wouldn't have any excuse for runnin'
. away-and the commander will satisfy
himself by sendin' a courier to the fell
lers in the field"
well, then" commented the Ser
geant, his eyes cleaning, we've sim
ply got to fight it out alone, I reckon.
and hang on to our last shots. What
do you make of those reds?"
The three men stared for some time
at the distant group over their rifles,
in silence.
"They amt all Arapahoes, that's GER
TAIN" said Moylan at last. Some of
'em are Cheyennes. I've seen that
chief before-it's Roman Nose"
THE big buck bumped up on the
roam" = $50
That's the one, and he is bad
actor; saw him once over. at Fort
i kearney two years ago. Had coun-
Gil there. SAY" in surprise, ~ain't
that an Ogalla Sioux war bonnet bob
/. bin there to the right, Sergeant?'
Hamlin studied the distant feath.
cred head.dress indicated, shading his
eyes with one hand. ..,
Il reckon maybe it is, Moylan." he
acknowledged at last gravely. Those
fellows have evidently got together;
we're going to have the biggest scrap
this summer the old army has had get.
Looks, as though it was going to begin
right here-and now See there! The
dance is on, boys; there they come;
they will try, it on foot ht3tfme."
He tested his rife, resting one knee
on the seat; aMoylan pushed the bar
rel Of his Winchester out through the
ragged hole in the back of the coach,
and the little Mexican lay nat, his
eyes on the level with the window-cas-
Ing. The girl: alone remained motion
less, crouchedten the floor, her white
face uplifted.
The entire field stretching to the
river was clear to the view, the short,
dry buffalo-grass offering NO conceal
ment. To dhe1right vi the coach, some
fifty feet saway, was the only depres-
sion, shallow gully leading down
from the blnff, ibut this slight advan.
tage was unavailable. The sun had al
ready dropped from view, and the
I, gathering twilight distorted the fig
4 ures, making them almost grotesque
In their savagery. Yet they could be
clearly distinguished, stealing s;'e2t-
~ forward, gums In hand, spreading
out in wide half-circla nhed'ont T"
the gestures of Roman Nose, who, tstflI
mounted upon his pony, was itFavers
ling the river bank. his every motion
loutlined against the dull ;eleam of wa.
tier behind him. From the black
depths Of the coach the fhree men
watched in almost breat1leas silence,
gripping their weapons, fascinated,
determined not to waste shot Con
GALES, under the strain, uttered a fierce
Spanish curse, but Hamlin crushed Ibis
arm between iron fingers
Keep still, you fool" he nnttered,
never glancing around. Let your gun
talk"
The assailants came creeping On,
snakes rather than men, appearing
less and less human In the increasing
shadows. Twice the Sergeant lifted
his Henry, sighting along the brown
barrel. lowering the weapon again in
4 doubt OF the, distance. He was con
4 jscious OF exultation, Of swifter pulse
of the heart, yet his nerves were like
isteel. his grip steady. Only . dim
heeting memory Of the girl, half hid.
den in the darkness behind, gave him
s,uneasiness-he could not turn and
look into her eyes. Roman Nose was
advancing now ut the center OF that
u creeping half circle. . hulking figure
,perched on his pony's back. yet well
out Of ride range. He spread his
hands apart, clasping d blanket, look.
4 .ing like great bird Mapping its wings,
\ and the ground In front famed, the
red nars splitting the gray gloom: The