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

showing Clear through the TaSBeUi
opening jabbed in the back of thee
coach, but no outline of the sutler'sl
burly shoulders. a.
"Moylan!" he called, hardly above a
whisper. What is the trouble? Have
you been hit, man"' .&
There was no answer, no responding
sound, and he stood up, reaching kind
ly over across the seat. Then he
knew, and felt a shudder run through
him from head to foot. Bent double
over the iron back of the middle seat,
with hands still gripping his hot rifle.
the man hung, limp and lifeless. Al
most without realizing the act, Ham
lin lifted the heavy body, laid 1t down
upon the cushion, and unclasped the
dead fingers gripping the Winchester
stock.
Every shot gone," he whispered to
himself dazedly, every shot gone!
Amt that hell"
Then it came to him in a sudden
fash of intelligence-he was alone;
alone except for the girl. They were
out there yet, skulking IN the night,
planning revenge, those savage foe
men-Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Ogallas.
They had been beaten back, defeated,
smitten with death, but they were In
dians still. They would come back for
the bodies of their slain, and then
what? They could not know who were
| living, who dead, in the coach; yet
must have discovered long since that
it had only contained three defenders.
They would guess that ammunition
would be limited. His knowledge of
the fighting tactics of the Plains
tribes gave clear vision of what would
probably occur. They would wait,
scattered out in wide circle from
bluff to bluff, lying snake-like in the
grass. Some of the belder might creep
in to drag away the bodies of dead
warriors, risking a chance shot, but
there would be no open attack in the
dark. That would be averse to all In
dian strategy, all precedent. Even
now the mournful wailing had ceased;
Roman Nose had rallied his warriors.
iEstilleG into them his own uncon-
Guerable savagery, and set them on
watch. With the first gray dawn they
would come again. leaping to- the
coach's wheels, yelling, triumphant,
mad with new ferocity-and he was
alone, except for the girl.
And where was she? He felt for
her on the floor, but only touched the
Mexicanis feet. He had to lean across
the seat where Moylan's body lay,
shrouded in darkness, before his CROP
skirt of her dress. She was on the
front seat, close to the window;
against the lightness of the outer sky,
her head seemed lying upon the wood
en- frame. She did not move, he could
not even tell that she breathed, and
for AN instant mis- dry lips failed him
utterly, his blood seemed to stop. Good
God! Had she been killed also? How,
in Heavens name, did she ever get
there? Then suddenly she lifted her
head slightly, brushing back her hair
with one arm; the faint starlight
cleaned son a steel barrel. The Ser
geant expelled his breath swiftly, wet
ting his dry lips.
Are you hurt?' he questioned
anxiously. Lord but you gave me a
scare!"
She seemed to hear his voice, yet
scarcely 10 understand, like one
aroused suddenly from sleep.
What! you spoke-then-then-
there are Others? IL am not here
all :alone?"
'.Not if You count me-" he eaid, q
trace of ,recklessness in the answer.
II haven't even "a scratch SO far as l
know. Did they touch you?"
mo; that is, ] am not quite sure;
TIT was all SO horrible canned re-
member. Who ave you? Are you the
-the ysoldier?"
"'Yes-1'm Hamiin Would you mind
telling me how you ever got over
there?"
She Strengthened up, seemed to no
tice the heavy revolver in her fingers,
and let it fadl to the floor.
"Oh. it is like dneam--ah awful
dream couldn't help myself. When
the Mexican rolled of on to the door,
I knew be was dead, and-and there
WAS his revolver held right out to me
ia his hand Before ] realized had
1t, and was up here-1-d killed one
he-he fell in the wheel; IL can
never forget that"
Don't try" broke in Hamlin earn
estly. You're all right" he added.
admiration in his voice. And 30 it
was you there with the small gun l
heard it bark, but never knew Con
za1es was hit When did 1t happen?"
~When-when they fired first. It
it was all smoke out there when ! got
to the window; they-they looked like
like wild beasts, and 1t didn't seem
to me was myself at ALL"
The man laughed lightly.
"You did the right thing. that's all"
he consoled. anxious to control her
excitement Now you and must
decide what to do ne1t-we are all
i alone" li.s
"Alone! Has Mr.. Moylan been hit