Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-06-13

close that gap yet; it's too dangerous
with us on guard and only one side OF
the coach exposed. That fellow was
trying us out. q while ago, and they've
kept quiet ever since I let drive al
him. They know the limits of the
safety zone, and will keep there until
just before daylight. That is when
they'll try to creep up upon Us. Have
J you got the timer"
h opened her watch, feeling for
the hands with her fingers, wondering
vaguely at her own calmness. The
cool r~esourcefulness Of Hamlin was
like a tonic.
Tit is a little after one o'clock
she said slowly, although l am not
sure my watch Is exactly right"
"N"ar enough; there are signs of
daylight at four-three hours left:
that ought to be sufficient, but with no
darkness to spare. Will you go with
me? Will you do exactly as say?"
b drew a swift breath. holding
her hand to her side.
oh. yes" her voice catching, what
what else a I do? / cannot stay
here with those dead men!"
But ! want you to go because
well, because you trust me-" he urged,
q new trace of tenderness in his low
cred voice. Because you know 1
would give my life to defend YOU"
He was not sure, but he thought
her face was suddenly uplifted, her
eyes seeking TO see him in the dark
ness.
! do" she answered gravely. you
U believe / do; but / have never
been In such peril before, in such a
situation OF horror. and l am all un-
nerved. There doesn't seem to be any.
thing left me but-to trust you."
That is good; all / can ask. l know
you are all right. but l want you to
keep your nerve. We are going to take
a big chance; we've got to do ia
single misplay, a slip of the foot, an
incautious breath may COS our lives"
Are Q going to try to get away?
To elude the Indians?"
Yes. n there is but one posstbil-
ity Of success-to creep the length, OF
the gully there, and SO reach the river.
Here Is Gonzales belt. Don't be
afraid OF IL; 1t is not dead men who
are going to hurt US. Swing the stran
over your shoulder this way, and slip
the revolver into the holster. That's
right; we'll carry as little as we can.
and leave our hands free" He hest
tated. staring about in the darknesa
swiftly deciding what to take. "Do
you happen to know II either Of the
passengers carried any grub?"
"Grub?"
Plains term for food" impatientlv.
"%rations; something for lunch en-
route"
"Oh. yes. Mr.. Moylan did: said he
never too chances on having to 70
hungry. It wal In a nat leather
pouch"
"Haversack. have It. That will
be enough to carry. with the canteen.
Now there 10 only n thing more be-
fore we leave. We must impress
those fellows with the notion that W..
are wide-awake. and on guard yet. See
any movement out there?"
II am not sure" she answerad
doubtfully. There is a black smnd1a
beyond that dead pony: lean forward
here and you a see what l mean
on the ground. IL imagined It moved
just them" She pointed into the darr.
ness. 1T II the merest shadow. hut
seemed to wiggle along, and then
stop: It's sim now"
Hamlin focused his keen Dyes ON
the spot indicated. shading them with
one hand.
Slide back further on the seat. he
whispered softly. and let me in next
the window"
There was q moments silence, the
only sound the wind. The girl grtpped
the back Of the seat nervously with
both hands. holding her breath: the
Sergeant. the outline Of his face sill
houetted against the sky. stared mo
tionless into the night without. Sud.
denly. not making q sound. he lifted
the rifle to his shoulder.