Eastern Colorado times., 1913-08-14

49, w "AoPPSo oOooS Al pidAhCIo oo
to be formless, even her face con-
cealed. The manner in which she
swayed to the movement of the pony,
urged on by one of the Indians, was
evidence that she was bound fast, and
helpless. At sight of her condition
Hamlin felt his old relentless purpose
return. He was plainsman enough to
realize what suffering those men had
passed through before reaching such
extremity. and was quick to appreci-
ate the full meaning of their exhaus-
tion, and to sympathize with 1t. He
had passed through similar baptism,
and remembered the desperate clutch
OF the storm-king.
But the sight of that poor girl sway
Ing helplessly in the saddle. a bound
prisoner in the midst OF those rufIians,
who had murdered her father before
her eyes and who were bearing her
to all the unspeakable horrors Of In
dian captivity. instantly stifled within
him every plea OF mercy. No matter
what they had suffered. they were
ruthless. merciless gang of cut
throats, and thieves, fleeing from JUS.
tice, deserving of no consideration.
Yet their distressed appearance. their
lack of vigilance, rendered him care.
less. They seemed too weak to resist,
too exhausted to fight; the cold pluck
ing at their hearts had seemingly al
ready conquered. 1t was this impress
sion which caused him to act reckless
ly. rising to his feet. rifle in hand. d.
rpCtlv In fhpir trapk ho1finu hof 4
vance with stern command.
Hands up! Quick now. the three
of you! Don't wait, Dupont; I've got
the DROP" -
The white man was In front, a huge,
shapeless figure in his furs, his black
beard frosted oddly. He stood motion.
less, astounded at this strange appa-
rition In blue cavalry overcoat which
had sprung up SO suddenly in that
wilderness. For an instant he must
have deemed the vision confronting
him some illusion of the desert. for he
never stirred except to rub a gloved
hand across his eyes.
"By all the gods, Dupont" roared
the Sergeant impatiently, do you
want me to shoot? Damn you, throw
up your hands,"
; Slowly, as though his mind was still
in dream, the mans hands were lift
ed above his head, one grasping
short, sawed-off gun. The expression
upon his face vas ugly. as he began to
dimly- understand what this unexpect-
ed hold-up meant. There followed an
instant of silence, In which Hamlin
forgetful of Hughes, who still re-
mained lying quiet in the snow, took
step or two forward, rifle at shoul-
der. The two Indians, swathed in
blankets, but with arms upraised,
were In direct line, motionless as stat
ues. He could see the CLEAN of their
dark eyes, and even noticed the figure
OF the girl straighten in the saddle.
Dupont gave fierce utterance to an
oath. Apparently he failed to recog-
nize the soldier. but as Hughes rose to
his knees. suspicion leaped instantly
to his BRAIN
"A hold-up, hey" he said coolly.
Hughes. you sneaklng old coward,
come out into the open once. What
Is it you want?"
Nothing to that, Dupont" returned
the Sergeant, glancing back question
ingly toward his companion. Your
old partner is here under my orders.
am Sergeant Hamlin, Seventh Cav.
airy Throw down that gun!"
What! YOU"
Yes, you are my prisoner. I've fol-
lowed you from Dodge. Throw down
the gun!"
1t dropped sullenly into the snow.
Now. Hughes, go ahead, and dis
arm those Indians"
The cowman shuffled forward, re-
volver in hand, circling to keep safe
ly beyond the reach Of Dupont, who
eyed him maliciously' The latter was
SO buttoned up in a buffalo coat as to
make 1t impossible for him to reach
weapon, and Hamlin permitted his
eyes to waver slightly, as he watched
the Indians. What occurred the next
instant came SO suddenly as scarcely
to leave an impression. 1t was swift,
instructive action. primitive impulse
An Indian hand fell beneath it's blan-
ket covering; there was a flash of
flame across pony's saddle; Hughes
sprang backward, and went reeling in
to the snow. Hamlin fired. as the say.
age lodged between the horses legs,
sending him sprawling, and. ignoring
the other Indian. swung about to cov-
er Dupont. Swift as he moved, he
was too late. With one desperate