Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-10-02
cOryRcsn 1919 ~ A.c.~olvso q Co

'"' "atu' Nuelr nedus lowered In utter
wearlness. The girl alone was in sad
die. 80 wrapped about In blankets as
20 be formless. even her face con.
cealed. The manner In which she
swayed 10 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 II. He
had passed through a similar baptism,
anJ -emombered the desperate clutch
OF d storm-king.
But the sight of that poor girl sway.
ing helplessly In the saddle. a bound
prisoner In the midst of those ruiiians,
who had murdered her father before
her eyes and who were bearing her
to all the unspeakable horrors of In
dian captivity. instantly stified within
him every plea OF mercy. No matter
what they had Suffered, they we're a
ruthless. mercless 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 SIGHT: the cold pluck
ing at their hearts had seemingly al
ready conquered. II was this impress
| sion which caused him 20 act reckless
| ly rising 70 his feet, rifle in hand. di-
rectly In their track. halting their ad.
/ vance with stern command
Hands up! Quick now. the three
of you Don't wait. Dupont: I've got
the drop"
The white man was In front. huge
shapeiess figure In his furs. his black
beard frosted oddly. He stood motion
less. astounded at this strange appa
rition in blue cavalry overcoat, which
had sprung up so suddenly in that
wilderness. For an instant hc must
have deemed the vision confronting
him some illusion of the desert, for hs
never stirred except TO rub glovet
hand across his eyes.
by all the gods. Dupont" roare,
the Sergeant impatiently. do yo,
want me TO shoot? Damn you. throw
up your hands,"
Slowly. as though his mind was still
in dream. the mans hands were lift
ed above his head. one graspng
short. sawed-off gun. The expression
upon his face vas ugly, as he began Il
dimly understand what this unexpect
ed hold-up meant. There followed al
instant OF silence. in which Hamlir
forgetful of Hughes, who still re-
mained lying quiet in the snow. too
4 step or two forward rife at shotS
der. The two Indians. swathed 4
blankets. but with arms upraiset
we're in direct line. motionless as sta'
ues. He could see the gleam of thei
dark eyes. and oven noticed the figur
Of the girl straighten in the saddle.
Dupont gave fierce utterance to a
oath. Apparently he failed to recot
nize the soldier but as Hughes rose t
his knees. suspicion leaped instantl
to his brain.
"A holdup. hey," he said COOL,
Hughes, you sneaking old cowar,
; come out into the open once. Wha
Is II you WANT"
Nothing TO that, Dupont" returne
the Sergeant. glancing back uuestio,
ingly toward his companion. "You
old partner Is here under my order
I am Sergeant Hamlin, Seventh Ca,
airy Throw down that gun."
what! You"
"Yes. you are my prisoner. I've 10
lowed you from Dodge. Throw dow
the gum"
! It dropped sulienly into the snow
, Now. Hughes. go ahead, and di
arm those Indians"
The cowman shufiled forward r
volver In hand. circling to keep saf
ly beyond the reach of dupont. WI
J. eyed him malic!orsly The latter W,
so buttoned up In buffalo coat as
9 make II impossible for him to reat
L weapon, and Hamlin permitted h
q eyes to waver slightly. as he watch,
g the Indians. What occurred the ne
e instant came so suddenly as scarce
to leave an impression. II was swi
q instructive action. primitive impuls
d An Indian hand fell beneath It's bla
Q ket covering; there was a fash
a flame across pony's saddle; Hugh
q sprang backward. and went reeling
B. to the snow. Hamlin fired. as the sa
'. age lodged between the horses les
r. sending him sprawling. and. ignoril
t. the other Indian. swung about to CO
ID er Dupont. Swift as he moved,