The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-02-06

"hsl! lhey coulu not know who were
living. who dead, In the coach; yet
have discovered long since that
II had only contained three defenders.
They would guess that ammunition
would be limited. His knowledge OF
the lighting tactics Of the Plains
tribes gave clear vision OF what would
probably occur. They would wait,
scattered out in . wide circle from
blum to blum, lying snake-like In the
grass. Some Of the holder might creep
IN to drag away the bodies Of dead
warriors, risking q chance shot, but
there would be nc open attack In the
dark. That would be averse to all In
dian strategy, all precedent. Even
now the mournful wailing had ceased;
Roman Nose had rallied his warriors.
instilled into them his own uncon-
querable savagery. and set them on
watch. With the first gray dawn they
would come again, leaping TO the
coach's wheels, yelling, triumphant.
mad with new ferocity-aQd he was
alone, except for the girl.
And where was she? He felt for
her on the floor, but only touched the
Mexican's feet. He had to lean across
the seat where Moylan's body lay,
shrouded in darkness, before his crop
Ing fingers came in contact with the
skirt OF her dress. She was on the
front seat, close to the window;
against the lightness of the outer sky,
her head seemed lying upon the wood.
en- frame. She did not move, he could
not ven tell that she breathed. and
for An instant mis- dry lips failed him
utterly. his blood seemed to stop. Good
God! Had she been killed also? How,
in Heavens name, did she ever get
there? Then suddenly she lifted her
head slightly, brushing back her hair
with n arm; the faint starlight
cleaned on a steel barrel. The Ser.
geant expelled his breath swiftly, wet.
ting his dry lips.
Are you hurt?" he questioned
%anxiously. Lord but you gave me a
scare!"
She seemed to hear his voice, yet
scarcely to understand, like one
aroused suddenly from sleep.
What! you spoke-then-then-
there are others? IL am not here
all alone?"
Not II you count me-" he said, a
trace of recklessness in the answer
81 haven't even a scratch SO far as
know. Did they touch you?"
mo; that is, l am not quite sure;
tit was all SO horrible / cannot re
member. Who are you? Are you the
the soldier?"
"Yes-I'm Hamlin. Would you MIND
telling me how you ever got over
there?"
She Strengthened up, seemed to no
tice the heavy revolver in her fingers
and let 1t fall to the floor.
"Oh, it is like a dream-an awful
dream. l couldn't help myself. Wher
the Mexican rolled off on to the floor
l knew he was dead, and-and there
was his revolver held right out to mt
In his hand. Before l realized I haC
it, and was up here-I-I killed one
he-he fell in the wheel; IL cal
never forget that!"
Don't try" broke in Hamlin earn
estly. You're all right" he added
admiration In his voice. And 80 1
was you there with the small gun.
heard 1t lark, but never knew Con
zales was hit. When did It happen?
"When-when they fred first. It
it was all smoke out there when I go
to the window; they-they looked lik'
like wild beasts. and 1t didn't seen
to me l was myself at ALL"
The mar laughed lightly.
you did the right thing. that's all.
he ~consoled, anxious to control he
excitement. Now you and l mus
decide what to do next-we are al
alone"
Alone! Hat Mr.. Moylan been hi
also?"
YES" he answered, feeling 1t wa
better to tell her frankly. He wa
shot, and is beyond our help. Blu
come" and he reached over and tool
her hand, you must not give up now.
She offered no resistance, but sa
motionless, her face turned away
Yet she knew she trembled from hea'
to foot, the reaction mastering her.
red tongue Of fame seemed to slit tn,
outside blackness; there was q singh
sharp report, echoing back from tn
BLUM. but no sound of the striking bul
let. Just an instant he caught
glimpse Of her face. as she drew back
startled.
"Oh, they are coming againi VIVA
shall we dol?
NO" he insisted, still retaining he
hand. confident In his judgment
Those fellows will not attempt II
rush us again tonight. You mus
keep cool. for We shall need all ouI
wits to get away. An Indian nevel
risks . night assault. unless 1t 10 9
surprise. He wants to . what he ID
up against. Those bucks have got al
they want Of this OUTFIT; they have
no reason 70 suppose any Of u were
hit. They are ~ much afraid a. w
are. but when It gets daylight, and
they oan ses the shape we're in. then
thsyn come ysllinG."
"TD~t thnv - NJ cut thoro n thl