The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-12-06

up the valley"
They ploughed way through the
drifts to the mouth Of the narrow
opening between the hills, dropping to
their knees In the snow, and cautious.
ly creeping forward the last few
yards. Hamlin. convinced that fear
alone could control the ex-cowthief,
Kept slightly to the rear.
Now wait, Hughes" he said. his
voice lowered but still tense with
command. BE careful, man. Crawl
up there In between those drifts, and
look over. Keep down low, you fool"
Inc two men wriggled slowly for
ward, smothered in the snowdrift, un-
I'll Hughes eyes barely topped the
surface. Hamlin lay outstretched
foot below. watching for the slightest
sign Of treachery. The cowman stared
up the depression. blinking his eyes
In the snow glare. The impatient
Sergeant gripped his arm.
We'll, what is IT. Are they com.
ing"
you bet. an about dead. from the
looks Of 'em. Them fellars amt look.
In fer nuthin'. reckon could stand
up straight we're an they'd never see
me. Take look yerse1r; It's safe
'nough."
Hamlin drew himself up, and peered
out over the snow. but still gripped
the others arm. With his first glance
up the valley there swept over him a
strange feeling Of sympathy for those
he was hunting. 1t was dismal, de-
pressing picture-the bare, snow-cov.
cred hillsides, and between, founder
ing weakly through the drifts, the lit
tie party Of fugitives, the emaciated
ponies staggering with weakness, the
men on foot, Keeling as they tramped
forward, their heads lowered in utter
WEAKNESS. The girl alone was in sad
die, 30 wrapped about In blankets as
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-
ton, and to sympathize with it. 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, bound
prisoner in the midst of those ruffians.
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 a
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. It was this impress
sion which caused him to act reckless
ly, rising to his feet, rifle in hand, di
rectly in their track, hating their ad
vance with stern command.
"Hands up! Quick now, the three
Of you! Don't wait, Dupont; I've go
the drop!"
The white man was In front, huge
shapeless figure in his furs, his blacl
beard frosted oddly. He stood motion
less, astounded at this strange appa
rition In blue cavalry overcoat, which
had sprung up so suddenly in tina
wilderness. For an instant he mus
have deemed the vision confronting
him some Illusion of the desert, for h
) never stirred except 10 rub glove'
hand across his eyes.
"By all the gods, Dupont" roare'
tie Sergeant impatiently, do yo
want me to shoot? Damn you, throy
up your hands!"
Slowly, as though his mind was stil
in q dream, the mans hands were lif
ed above his head, one grasping
short, sawed-off gun. The expressio
upon his face was ugly. as he began t
dimly understand what this unexpec
ed hold.up meant. There followed a
instant of silence, In which Hamlii
forgetful OF Hughes. who still n
NAMED lying quiet in the snow, too
a step or two forward, rife at shou
der. The two Indians. swathed
blankets, but with arms upraise'
|, we're in direct line. motionless as sta
ues. He could see the CLEAN of the
dark eyes, aad even noticed the figuI
of the girl straighten in the saddle.
, Dupont gave fierce utterance to q
|. oath. Apparently he failed to reco
. nize the soldier, but as Hughes rose
his knees, suspicion leaped Instant
!, to his brain.
a "a hord.up, hey!" he said COOL
Hughes, you sneaking old cowar
}. come out into the open once. VIII
ia It you want?"
"Nothlng to that, Dupont" returne