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

younger bucks lay, rifles In hand
along the night-enshrouded slope
their cruel, vengeful eyes seeking to
distinguish the outlines of the coach
against the black curtain Of the BLUM
This had proven thus far their sal
vation-that steep uplift of earth
against which the stage had crashed
in it's mad dash-for its precipitant
front had compelled the savages to at
tack from one direction only, a slight
overhang, not unlike roof, making 1t
impossible even to shoot down from
above. But this same sharp incline
was not likewise a preventive of es-
cape. Hamlin shook his head as he
recalled to mind it's steep ascent,
without root or shrub to cling to, No.
It would never do to attempt that; not
with her. Perhaps alone he might
scramble up comehow, but with her
the feat would be impossible. He dis
missed this as hopeless, his memory
of their surroundings drifting from
point to point aimlessly. He saw the
whole barren vista as it last stood re-
vealed under the glow OF the sun--the
desolate plateau above, stretching
away into the dim north, the brown
level of the plains, broken only by
sharp assures in the surface, treeless,
extending for unnumbered leagues. To
east and west the valley, now scarcely
more green than those upner n|"'""
bounded by its verdureless blu1s, ran
crookedly, following the river course
it's only sign of white dominion the
rutted trail. Beyond the stream there
extended miles of white sand-dunes'
Enthusiastically shapen by the WIND
gradually changing into barren plains
of alkali. Between crouched the Wig
liant Indian sentinels, alert and re-
vengeful.
|. Certain facts were clear-to remain
meant death, torture for him II they
were taken alive, and worse than
death for her. Precipitation burst out
upon his face at the thought. No!
Great God! not that; he would kill
her himself frst.I Yet this was the
truth, the truth to be faced. The
nearest available troops were at
Dodge, a company of infantry. If they
started at once they could never ar
rive in time to prevent an attack at
daybreak. The Indians undoubtedly
knew this, realized the utter helpless
ness of their victims, and were acting
accordingly. Otherwise they would
never have lighted that fire nor re-
mained on guard. Moreover II the two
of them should succeed In stealing
forth from the shelter of the coach,
should skulk unseen amid the dense
blackness OF the overhanging bluff,
eluding the watchers, what would 1t
profit in the end? Their trail would
be clear; with the first gray of dawn
those savage crackers would be at
, work, and they would be trapped in
the open, on foot, utterly helpless
even to fight. !
The mans hands clenched and I'm.
clenched about his rifle-barrel in an
agony of indecision, his eyes perceiv-
ing the silhoutte of the girl against
the lighter arc of sky. No, not that
not that! They must hide their trail,
leave behind no faintest trace of pass
age for these hounds to follow. Yet
how could the miracle be accom-
plished? Out from the mists Of tor
tured memory came, as faint hope,
a dim recollection of that narrow gull
ly cutting straight down across the
trail, over which the runaway had
crashed in full gallop. That surely
could not be far back, and was of suf-
ficient depth to hide them in the dark
ness. He was uncertain how far it,
extended, but at some time 1t had
been a water-course and must have.
reached the river. And the river
would hide their trail! A new hope
sprang into his eyes. He felt the sud
den Strengthening up of his body.
"What-what is it," she questioned,
startled. do you see anything? Are,
they coming?" !!
mo, no." almost impatiently. 1T is
still as death out there, but almost
believe have discovered a means Of
escape. Do you remember gully we
ran over while l was on top of the
stage?'
II am not sure; was it when that.
awful jolt came" 0
Eyes, it flung me to the foot-board
just when I had untangled the lines.
We could not have travelled q dozen
yards farther before we struck this
bluff-could we?"
II hardly think so," yet evidently
bewildered by his rapid questioning.
"Only 1 was 50 confused and fright
ened can scarcely remember. Why
are you 80 anxious to know :"
Because" he returned earnestly.
bending toward her, II believe that
cash in the earth is going to get us
out of here. Anyhow 1t is the only
chance can figure. II we can creep
through to the river. undiscovered, I'll
agree to leave Mister Indian guessing
as to where we've gone. "s s:.sE
The new note of animation In the
mans voice aroused her but ahs5
grasped his arm tighter. "a
80