The Oklahoma miner. [volume] (Krebs, Okla.) 1912-192?, 1913-05-01
CHAPTER vIl.-contInued.

CHAPTER VlI-Contlnued.
Certain facts were cleaT-to remain
meant death, torture for him II they
were taken alive, and worse than
death for her Precipitation burst out
upon his face at the thought. No!
Great God! not that he would kill
her himself first. Yet this was the
truth, the truth to be faced. The
nearest available troops were at
Dodge, company of infantry. If they
started at once they could never ar
rive in time to prevent an attack at
daybreak. The Indians undoubtedly
knew this, realized the utter helpless
ness OF their victims, and were acting
accordingly. Otherwise they would
never have lighted that Are nor re-
mained on guard. Moreover II the two
of them should succeed in stealing
forth from the shelter OF the coach,
should skulk unseen amid the dense
blackness OF the overhanging bluff,
eluding the watchers, what would 1t
profit In the end? Their trail would
be clear; with the first gray OF dawn
work, and they would be trapped in
the open, on foot, utterly helpless
even to fight.
The mans hands clenched and un-
clenched about his rifle-barrel in an
agony of indecision, his eyes perceiv-
ing the silhoutte OF the girl against
the lighter arc of sky. No, not that
thatI hot
leave behind no faintest trace of pass
age for these hounds to follow Yet
how could the miracle be accom-
plished? Out from the mists OF tor
tured memory came, as a faint hope,
a dim recollection of that narrow gul-
ly cutting straight down across the
trail, over which the runaway had
crashed in full gallop. That surely
could not be far back, and was Of suf-
flcient depth to hide them in the dark
ness. He was uncertain how far II
extended, but at some time 1t had
been a water-course and must have
reached the river. And the river
would hide their trail! A new hope
sprang into his eyes. He felt the sud
den strengthening up OF his body.
"What-what is it?" she questioned
startled. do you see anything7 Are
they coming?"
mo, no." almost impatiently "It is
still as death out there, but / almost
believe l have discovered a means OF
escape. Do you remember a gully we
ran over while | was on top Of the
stage?"
81 am not sure; was It when that
awful jolt came?"
Yes, 1t flung me to the foot board
just when l had untangled the lines
We could not have travelled a dozen
yards farther before we struck this
bluff-could we?"
Il hardly think So" yet evidently
bewildered by his rapid questioning
only l was so confused and fright
ened | can scarcely remember. WHY
are you 80 anxious to know?"
Because" he returned earnestly
bending toward her, 81 believe that
cash in the earth is going to get us
out OF here. Anyhow it is the only
chance | can figure II we can Greer
through 10 the river, undiscovered. III
agree to leave Mister Indian guessins
as to where we've gone"
The new note OF animation in the
mans voice aroused her. but sh,
grasped his arm tighter.
"But-but, oh, can we? Won't they
be hiding there too?"
IT'S a chance, that's all-but better
than waiting here for a certainty
See here, Miss Mcdonald" and h,
caught her hand in his own, forgetfu
OF all save his own purpose and tn,
necessity of strengthening her to pla,
out the game, "the trend Of that gul
is to the west; except up here clos,
to the bluff 1t runs too far away for |
guard line. The indians will be lyin,
. out here on the open prairie; they will
creep as close in as they dare unde
cover OF darkness. I'll bet there ar,
twenty red snakes now within a hun
drsd feet Of uB-oh, don't shiVer ant