Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-06-06

excitement. Now o and l must
decide what to do next-we are all
alone"
Alone! Has Mr.. Moylan beer hit
also ~,
Yes" he answered, feeling it was
better to tell her frankly. He was
shot, and is beyond our help. But
come" and he reached over and took
her hand, you must not give UP now
h offered no resistance, but sat
motionless, her face turned away.
Yet she knew she trembled from head
to foot, the reaction mastering her. A
outside blackness; there was a single
sharp report. echoing back from he
bluff. but no sound Of the striking bull
let. Just an instant he caught a
glimpse OF her face. as she drew back,
startled.
"Oh. they are coming againl What
shall we do?"
mo-" he insisted. still retaining her
hand, confident in his Judgment.
Those fellows will not attempt to
rush US again tonight. You must
keep cool, for we shall need all our
wits to get away. An Indian ave
risks q night assault, unless 1t Is a
surprise. He wants to see what he is
up against. Those bucks have got all
they want Of this outfit; they have
no reason to suppose any of us were
hit. They are as much afraid as we
are. but when it gets daylight, and
they can see The shape we're In, then
they'll come yelling"
But they can lie u there in the
dark and shoot" she protested. THAT
shot was aimed at us, wasn't it?"
Il reckon 1t was, but it never got
here. Don't let that worry you; IL an
Indian ever hits anything with a gun
It's going to be by pure accident" He
stared out of the window. They're
liable to bang away occasionally, and
suppose It is up to US tt make some
response just to tell them we're
awake and ready. But they amt FIR
Ing expecting to do damage-only to
attract attention while they haul OF
their dead. There's a red snake yon-
der now creeping along in the grass
sect"
NO." Historically. ut is just black
to me-"
You haven't got the plainsman.s
eyes yet. Watch. now; I'm going to
stir the fellow up"
He leaned forward, the stock Of the
Henry held to his shoulder. and she
clutched the window-casing. An in
slant the muzxle Of the rife wavered
slightly, then steadied into position.
Have to guess the distance" he
muttered In explanation. and pulled
the trigger.
There vas q light flash. a sharp
ringing report, q yell in the distance,
followed by the sound OF scrambling.
Hamlin laughed, as he lowered his
gun.
MADE him hump. anyway" he COM
mented cheerfully. Nov what comes
next?"
tt do not know" she answered.
as though the question had been asked
her. do your"
Somehow she was not as fright
ened as she had been. The calm
steady GOODNESS OF the man was hay-
Ing Its natural effect, was helping to
control her W nerves. She felt his
strength, his confidence, and was be-
ginning to lean upon him-he seemed
to know exactly what he was about.
Well, no. honestly l don't; not
yet" he returned. hesitating slightly.
There is no . denying We are in a
mighty bad hole. II Moylan hadn't
got shot we might have held out till
help arrived; I've got about twenty
cartridges left; but you and / alone
never could do 1t. I've got to think 1t
out, ! reckon; this has been a blind
night 90 far: nothing to It but blaz-
ins away az fast ~ ] could pull trig-
ser. Now. maybe. ! an use my brains
. bit"
She could NOT SEQ him, but Some in
.stinct led her to put out her hand and
touch the rough sleeve Of his shirt. 1t
made her sure Of his presence, his
protection. The man felt the move
ment, and understood Its meaning.
his heart throbbing strangely.
You are going TO trust met"
"Of-of course: how could. you
doabt THAR"
Well" still half questioning. you
see I'm only an enlisted man. and
sometimes ofncers' ladies think we
are mostly pretty poor stun. just food
for powder"
She .tightened her grip on his
sleeve, drawing a quick breath OF sur.
prise.
oh, but ! am not like that; truly
1 am not. l--saw your face this after.
noon, and-and I liked you then. ]