The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-06-05

gONH >, iSiO'
'ney were well protected from the
erueI lash OF the wind and the shower
Oh snow which blew over them and
orited higher and higher in the open
space beyond. Working feverishly,
the blood again circulating freely
through his veins, the Sergeant hasti-
~ dragged blankets from the pack,
ana spread them on the ground, de-
posting Carroll upon them. Then he
SET about vigorously rubbing the sol.
oiers exposed flesh with snow. The
smart OF 1t, together with the rough.
ness OF handling, aroused the latter
from lethargy, but Hamlin, ignoring
his resentment, gripped the fellow
with hands Of iron, never ceasing his
violent ministrations until his swear
ing ended in silence. Then he wrap
PED him tightly in the blankets, and
stood himself erect, glowing from the
exercise. Carroll glared up at him
angrily out Of red-rimmed eyes.
III get you for that, you big boob"
ne shouted, striving to release his
arms from the clinging blankets. You
wait! I'll get you!"
Hush up, George, and 20 to
sleep" the other retorted, poking the
shapeless body with his foot, his
thoughts already elsewhere. Don't
be a fool. I'll get a fire II | can, and
something hot into you Within an
hour you'll be a man again. Now see
here-stop that! Do you hear? You
lie still right where you are, Carroll,
until / come back, or I'll Mck your
ribs In" He bent down nsnacingly,
scowling into the upturned face. "Wnl
you mind, or shall l have to hand you
one?"
Carroll shrank back like a whipped
child, his lips muftering something
indistinguishable. The sergeant, sat
istied, turned and %floundercd through
the drifts to the bank of the stream.
He was alert and fearful. yet deter
mined. No matter what danger of
discovery might threaten, he must
build a fire to save CAROLS life. The
raging storm was not over with.
there was no apparent cessation Of
violence In the blasts of the icy wind.
and the snow swept about him in
binding sheets. 1t would continue
all day, all another night, perhaps,
and they could never live through
without food and warmth. He real
lied the risk fully, his gloved hand
gripping the butt Of his revolver. as
he stared up and down the
draped bluffs. He wished he had
picked up W~asson's rife. Who was
1t that had shot them up, anyhow.
The very mystery added to tie dread.
Gould 1t have been Dupor1? There
was no other conception Ibssible, vet
1t seemed like a miracle that they
could have kept so close on the fell
lows trail all night long through the
storm. Yet who else would open fire
at sight? Who else, indeed, would be
In this God-forsaken country? And
whoever 1t was, where had he gone?
How had he disappeared so suddenly
and completely? He could not be far
away, that was a certainty. No plains
man would attempt to ford that lev
stream, nor desert the shelter of these
bluffs In face Of the storm. It would
be suicidal. And IL Dupont and his
Indians were close at hand, Miss Nc
Donald would be with them. He had
had no time In which to reason this
out before, but now the swift realiza-
ton of the close proximity Of the girl
came to him like an electric shock.
Whatever the immediate danger he
must thaw out Carroll, and thus be
free himself.
He could look back to where the
weary horses huddled beneath the
bank, grouped about the man 80 help
lessly swaddled In blankets on the
ground. They were dim, pitiable OBJ
5ects, barely discernible through the
flying scud. yet Hamlin was quick to
perceive the advantage Of their posi-
overhanging bluff was com
plete protection from any attack ex-
cept along the open bank Of the river.
Two armed men could defend the spot
against odds. And below, a hundred
yards away, perhaps-it was hard to
Judge through that smother-the bare
limbs Of several stunted cottonwoods
waved dismally against the gray sky.
Hesitating, his eyes searching the.
above to where the stream
northward and disappeared, he
at last and tramped down.
ward along the edge Of the stream.
Across stretched the level. white prai-
rie, beaten and obscured by the storm.
1iiz;[f1,