The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

boys are bound to be after them, anu
there is more chance for them to get
back safely along the mountains than
in the other direction. I don't sup
pose an Indian in the bunch was ever
south of the Arkansas. Wait! Those
fellows are going to move now; going
for good, too-they are taking the
dead Indians with them"
They were little more than black
dots at that distance, yet the sun was
up by this time and his keen vision
could distinguish every movement.
I Creep up here, and you can see
also," he said quietly. "They are far
enough away now SO that it is SAFE
There was a moment of breathless
quiet, the two fugitives peering eau
tiously over the sand ridge. To the
girl it was confusion of figures rush
ing back and forth about the smoking
ruins of the stage; occasionally faint
yell echoed across the river, and she
could distinguish a savage on his
pony gesticulating as he rode back
and forth. But the Sergeant compre-
hended the scene. His eyes met hers
and read her bewilderment.
They are going all right, and in
hurry. It's plain enough they are
afraid to stay there any longer. See,
they are flashing bodies on to the
ponies All, that is what l wanted to
be sure about-that fellow is heading
west on the trail; now the others are
moving"
Then you are sure Roman Nose
will not return? That-that we are
safe"
Eyes; wouldn't hesitate to go back
;.as soon as the last of them disappear
over the ridge" pointing up the river.
"They knew they had to 60 that way;
Roman Nose and his band hoped we'd
taken that direction, and hurried on
ahead to catch US if he could. They
are afraid to stay about here any long
err Look how they are flashing those
ponies; there, the last Of them are
leaving"
They lay there in the sand, already
becoming warm under the rays of the
sun, trying to assure themselves that
all danger of discovery had vanished.
There was no movement on the oppo-
site shore, only the blue spiral Of
smoke curling up against the bluff,
marking where the stage had stood.
About this, outlined upon the brown
grass, appeared darker patches rep
resenting dead ponies and the bodies
lot Moylan and Gonzales, where they
\ Had been tumbled, scalped and other=
wise mutilated. Down by the river a
wounded pony tried to follow the dis
appearing cavalcade, but fell, giving
vent to one scream of agony. Then all
was silent, motionless, the last stray
gler clubbing his horse pitilessly as he
vanished over the ridge.
Hamlin sat up, his eyes smiling. ~
I I'VE are the lucky ones, Miss Nc
4 Donald" he said, his manner uncon-
sciously more formal now that, the
1 danger had passed and swift realiza-
ton OF who his companion was recur-
ring to his mind. "Something must
have frightened them" He shaded his
eyes, staring at the bluffs opposite.
t"But, there is nothing in sight from
here. Well, the best thing we can do
is to eat breakfast. May have the
haversack, and see what it is stocked
4 with?" 49,.
Certainly not. There is so little
! I can do, do not propose yielding
any prercgative." And she drew her
head through the strap, letting the
leather bag fall to the sand. Il am
afraid there is no cloth here. Would
you dare light a fire."
Hardly, even if we had fuel" he
answered, watching her with interest.
She glanced up into his face, her
cheeks reddening.
why don't you want me to do
this ?" 5-. ..
How do you know I object? Indeed,
it is quite pleasant to be waited upon.
Only, you see, it is very unusual for
an officers daughter to take such good
care of an enlisted man."
i But I am not thinking Of that at
all. Youths is different"
For the moment, perhaps" just a
slight bitterness in his tone, land
should enjoy it while can"
She stopped in her work, sitting
straight before him. Her. eyes were
indignant, yet she stiaed the first
words that leaped to her lips. His
soft hat lay on the sand and the sun
revealed his tanned face, bringing out
it's strength.
"You-shouldn't say that" she fall
tered. Surely you do not believe
will ever become ungrateful."
mo; and yet gratitude Is not alto
gether satisfactory. He hesitated.
1T is hard to explain just what mean
to you, for you do not realize the life
we lead out here-the loneliness of It.
Even a man in the ranks may possess
the desires Of q human being. well,
I'm hungry for the companionship of
4 good woman. Don't misunderstand,
Miss Mcdonald. / am not presuming,
nor taking advantage Of the accident
4 which has n1aced m in this nAenlia :.