Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-05-30

dAo uyiAS pONlc6s NuISc AlOeioAAcos
bodies huddled on the grass. a few
~dismounted stragglers racing on foot
for the river bank, and a squad OF rid
ers circling beyond the trail. Hamlir
swept the mingled sweat and blood
out OF his eyes, smiled grimly, and
glanced back into the coach. instinct
lively slipping fresh cartridges into his
hot rife.
That's one time those fellows ran
into a hornets nest" he commented
quietly, all rae OF excitement van.
ished. Better load up. boys, for we're
not through yet-theyU only be more
careful next time. Anybody hurt?"
"Somethin' creased my back" re-
piled Moylan. complainingly, and try
ing vainly to put a hand or the spot.
Felt like a streak O. fire." The Ser
geant reached across. lingering the
torn shirt cautiously.
Scared the flesh, pardner, but no
blood worth mentioning. They've got
some heavy artillery out there from
the sound-old army muskets likely. 1t
II our repeating rifles that will win
out-those red devils don't understand
them yet"
"Senor, you tink we win out den?"
and Gonzales peered up blinking into
the others face. ""acre! dey vii fight
caine muskeet. eet carry so far-ess
eet not so?"
Hamlin patted his brown barrel at
~fectionately as II 1t were an old
friend, and smiled across into the
questioning eyes of the girl.
I'm willing to back this Weapon
against the best Of them for distance"
he replied easily, "and It's accurate be-
sides. How about 1t, Moylan?"
I'D about as soon be in front as be-
hind Of them cannon" answered
the sutler soberly. II toted four
years. But say, pardner. what's yer
name? Yer a cavalryman, amt yer?"
"Sergeant-forgot I wasn't properly
introduced" and he bent his head
slightly. glancing again toward the
girl. "Hamlin IL the rest Of It."
Brick Hamlin?"
"SometimesNdelicate reference to
my hair, MISS" and he took on his
hat. his gray eyes laughing. Born
that way, but doesn't seem to inter-
fere with me Jnuch. since l was a kid.
You've heard OF me then. Moylan? So
has u little friend. Gonzales here"
The sober-faced sutler mere nod
ded. evidently in 10 mood fol s6leas-
antry.
"Oh. ye're all right" he said finally.
I've heard 'em say you was a fighter
down round Santa Fe. an / know u
myself now. But what the hell are we
goin' to do. This we're s~tagecoach
amt much OF a fort to keep of a
bunch O. redskins once they git their
mad up. Them musket bullets 20
through like the sides was paper, an I
reckon we amt got no oversupply o.
ammunition know l amt fer this
Winchester. How long do yer reckon
we kin hold out 7"
Hamlin's face became grave. his
eyes also turning toward the river.
The sun WAS already sinking low In
the west. and the Indians. gathered in
council out OF rile-shot, were like
shadows against the glimmering water
beyond.
They'll try US again just before
dark" he affirmed slowly, "but more
cautiously. II that attack fails, then
they'll endeavor to creep in, and take
~ by surprise. It's going to be a
clear night, and there Is small chance
for even an Indian to hide in that buff
falo-grass with the stars shining. They
have got to come up from below, for
no buck could climb down this BLUM
without making a noise. l don't see
why, with decent luck, we can't hold
out - we are until help gets here;
those fellows who rode away will re-
port at Canon Blur and send a rider
on to Dodge for help. There ought to
be soldiers out here by noon tomor-
row. What troops are at Dodge now ??'
Only q single company-infantry,"
replied EAas0yian gioomily. "All the rest
are out scouting long the Solomon.
Damned II / believe they'll send us a
q Those two towards will likely
report us all dead-otherwise they
wouldn't have any excuse for runnin'
away-and the commander will satisfy
himself by sendin' q courier to the Eel
lers In the field"
Well. them" commented the Ser
seant. his eyes cleaning, we've sim
ply got to tight 1t out alone, I reckon.
and hang on to our last shots. What
do you make OF those reds?"
The three men stared for some time
1t he distant group over their rifles,
An silence.
They ain't all Arapahoes. that's Ger
tain" satd Moylan ~ last. Some Of
'em are C~hsyennes. I've seen that
chief hefore-itsa Roman NoaA.s