The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-24

ing by the DIIerc LI.S own EOrSe, which was slightly lame from a strain receiv ed in the hunt. We saw Orme making some sort of gestures, pointing to his horse and the others.
 'Wonder if he wants to trade horsesr' unused Auberry, chuckling Then in the same breath he called Look out! LookI"
 We all saw it. Orme's arm shot out straight, tipped bv a blue puff of |. smoke, and we heard the crack of the dragoon pistol. One of the Sioux, the chief who by this time had mounted his horse, threw his hand against his chest and leaned slightly back, then straie Atened up slightly as he sat. As he fell, or before he fell, Orme pushed his body clear from the saddle and with a leap was. in the dead mans place and riding swiftly toward us, leading his own horse by the rein.
 It seemed that it was the Sioux who had kept faith after all, for none of the remaining three could find a weapon. Orme rode up laughing and unconcern- ed. .'The beggar wouldn't trade with me at alI.'' he said. By love. be- lieve he'd have got me if he'd had any sort of tools for It."
  knap-"you broke the council wordr'
 Did that man make the first break St you?" Auberry blazed at him.
 How can I tell?" answered Orme coolly. "It's as we'll to be a trifie ahead in such matters He seemed utterly unconcerned. He could kill a man as lightly as a rabbit and think no more about it.
 Within the instant the entire party of the Sioux was in confusion. We saw them running about, mounting, heard them shouting and wailing.
 Its fight now!' said Auberry. "Back to the wagons now and get your men ready. lieutenant. As soon as the Sioux can get shut of their wo- men they'll come on. and come a boil in too. You blanked fool!'' he hissed to Orme. "You murdered that man!'
 "What's that, my good fellow?' said Orme sharply. NOW, I advise you to keep a civil tongue in your head or I'll teach you some manners" Even as we swung and rode back Auberry pushed alongside Orme, his rifle at ready. Young man, if you want to teach me any manners begin it nowI You make your break" he cried
 Belknap spurred in between them. Here, you men," he commanded, with swift sternneSs, into your places. I'm in command here, and I'll shoot the first man who raises a hand MT. Orme, take your place at the wagons. Auberry, keep with me. We'll have fighting enough without anything of this.'
 "He murdered that Sioux, Heuten- ant" reiterated Auberry.
 'rDash it, sir, know he did, but this is no time to argue about that. Looi therer'
 We saw the Sioux separate into twt bands, the men remaining behind, ri6 ing back and forth. whooping an holding aloft their weapons. We hear the note of dull war drum beating.
 They'll fight" said Auberry. "Loo at 'emr'
 Here they come,'' said Belknap coo ly. "Get down, men,"
 They came on, then swung oC around us, their horse line rippling U over the broken ground apparently |, easily as it had gone on the level foo of the valley.
 ''Tell us when to fire, Auberry," l heard Belknap say, for he had practi cally given over the situation to the old plainsman. At last I heard the voice of Auberry, changed from that of an old man into the quick, clear ac- cents of youth, sounding hard and clear Ready nowi Each fellow pick his own man and kill him. Dye hear, kill him.
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