The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-08-01
CHAPTER v.
The Defense Of the Stage.

There were times when Hamlin's
ntal processes seemed slow, almost
Egish. but this was v true in
@ments OF emergency and peril.
en- he became swift, impetuous,
emingly borne forward by some In
ring instinct. It was for such ex-
t-iences as this that he remained In
b service-his whole nature respond
/ almost joyously to the bugle-call
action. Of imminent danger, his
rves steadying into rock. These
re the characteristics which had
ID him his chevrons In the unre-
srded service of the frontier, and,
ZEN scarcely more than a boy. had
{ = captains bars on the gray col
Of his Confederate uniform.
Now, q he struggled to his knees,
piping the iron foot-rail with one
nd, . single glance gave him a dis
lot impression Of their desperate sit
tion. With that knowledge, there
sewise flashed over his mind the
~ possible means Of defense. The
dians, numbering at least thirty, had
a0en recklessly out from under the
a0tection Of the river bank. spread
3 to right and left, ne their ponies
offs struck the turf, and were now
arging down upon the disabled
ach, yelling madly and brandishing
cir gums. The very reckless aban-
- Of their advance expressed the
Inception they had OF the situation
~. had witnessed the flight Of the
% f~ugitives, the runaway of the
aeelers. and believed the remaining
ssengers would be helpless victims.
ley came on, savage and confident,
Il anticipating a fight. but a massa-
I-shrieking prisoners, and a glut Of
lvenge.
with one swing of his body, Hamlin
- upon the ground, and had jerked
In the inside door Of the coach,
It back against the dirt OF the
~ which lowered In protection
owe. His eyes were quick to per-
ivS the peculiar advantage Of posi-,
=; hat their assailants would b
mpelled to advance from only one
rsctjQp, The three within were bare
STRUGGLING to their feet. dazed. be-
ldered. failing az yet to comprehend
~ those distant yells. when he
rang into their midst, uttering his
1T orders. and unceremoniously
Ting the men into position for de-
n6o.
Here. quick now! Don't waste
nol IT. : matter Of seconds, ! tell
al They're comtng-a horde Of
Here, Moylan, take this rifle
rrol and knock q hole through the
a. there big enough to sight out of.
{ Il hard, damn you, it's . case OF
) - death! What have you got Con-
~ ~ revolver? Into that win
y there. and blaze away; you've got
reputation Of . gun-man: now let's
J Jon prove Il. Get back In the COZ.
/. miss. 70 ! can slip past-no. lie
below the hre line!"
sBut-but / will not!s and she faced
:. her face white. but her eyes shin
= can SHOOT! see!" and she
DAod & pearl-handled revolver def
~. The Sergeant thrust her un-
iennoniously aside and plunged
49, to the opposite window. grip
= his Henry rifle.
ID y I say" he growled. This
oaf light Get down! Now. you
TeoFs, lot them have it,"
Inore was q wild skurrying Of
l0nted figures almost at the coach
ooeo, hair streaming, feathers wav-
toan, red arms thrown up. the air
~ With shrill outcries-then the
4 bnrk Of = Henry, the boom Of Q
c6Aoeter, the sharp splitting Of q
re smoke rolled out Ia Z
pungent, ~concealing. nervous
proGatng the triggers again
They could see Keeling
mlon gripping their ponies
I1E foep street., staring, fright
nnlnnels .nung back on their
seexing 'inadly in the air.
S{llII yeI1 - exultation changed
n0SGe eog0am. bullets crashed
t1Htn G16es Of the coach: It