Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-01-02

Here, under the protection. of the
bank, Hamlin put down his, burden
and stood erect, stretching his
strained muscles and staring back In
to the dark.
What now? Which way should they
turn? He had accomplished all he had
planned for himself back there in the
coach, but now he became aware OF
other problems awaiting solution. In
light; he almost imagined it was light
err already over yoqder in the east.
With the first dawn those watchful
Indians, creeping cautiously closer,
would discover the stage deserted, and
would be on their trail. And they had
left trail easily followed. Perhaps
the hard, dry ground might confuse
those savage crackers, but they would
scour the open country between bluff
and river, and find the dead warrior in
the gully. That would tell the stoiy
To go west, along the edge of the
river, wading in the water, would be
useless precauticn; such trick would.
be suspected at once, and there was
no possibility Of rescue from that d.
rection. They might as we'll walk
open-eyed into a trap. There was but
one hope, one opportunity-to cross
the stream before dawn came and
hide among those shifting sand-dunes
Of the opposite shore. Hamlin thor
oughly understood the risk involved,
the treacherous nature of the Arkan-
sas, the possibility that both might be
sucked down by engulfng quicksand,
yet even such lonely death was pre-
ferable to Indian torture.
The girl at his feet stirred and
moaned. In another moment he had
filled his hat with water from the riv-
or. had lifted her head upon one arm,
and using the handkerchief from about
his throat, was washing away the
blood that matted her hair. Now that
his fingers felt the wound, he realized
the force Of the blow stunning her, al
though its outward manifestation was
slight. Her figure trembled in his
arms and her eyes opened, gazing up
wonderingly at the black outlines Of
his shadow. Then she made an effort
% though to draw away
| Lie still while yet, Miss Melon
AID" he said soothingly. until you ~
gain your strength"
He heard the quick gasp, Of her
| breath, and felt the sudden relaxing
| Of her muscles.
| "You!" she exclaimed in. undis.
guised relief at recognition OF the
voice; lis 1t really you? Where are
We? What has happened?"
He told her rapidly, his face bent
close, realizing that she was clinging
to him again as she had once before
back in the stage. AS he ended, she
lifted one hand to her wound.
| "And am not really hurt-not seri
ously?" her voice bewildered. q
never realized had been struck. Ani
and you carried me all that way
IL can hardly comprehend-yet
| Please explain again: they are bacl
there watching for US still, believin,
we are in the coach; they will follow
our trail as soon as it becomes day
light. Why-why, the sky is brighte
over in the east already, isn't it
What was it you said we must do?"
| Get across the river; once bidder
in those sand-dunes over there vel
be safe enough
Across the river" she repeated tn,
words DULY, sitting up to stare out to
ward the water. Then her head sanl
into her hands, Can we-can W,
ever do that?"
| Hamlin bent forward on his knees
striving with keen eyes, sharpened b.
his nights experience, to learn NOR,
of what lay before them. The move
ment, slight as it was, served t,
| brighten her, and she grasped him b,
the sleeve.
do not leave me; do not go away
she implored swiftly Whatever 70,
say is best, I will do"