The Southern herald., 1913-07-25

forward, their heads lowered in utter
@earlness. The girl alone was in sad
ule' SO wrapped about in blankets as
TO be formless, even her face con-
cealed. The manner in which she
sWayed to 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-
tlon, and to sympathize with it. He
had passed through a similar baptism,
and remembered the desperate clutch
OF the storm-king.
But the sight of that poor girl sway
ing helplessly in the saddle, a bound
prisoner in the midst of those rufflans,
who had murdered her father before
her eyes and who were bearing her
70 oil the unspeakable horrors of In.
dian captivity. instantly stifled within
him every plea Of mercy. No matter
what they had suffered, they we're a
ruthless, merciless 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 fight; the cold pluck.
ing at their hearts had seemingly al
ready conquered. 1t was this impress
sion which caused him to act reckless
ly, rising to his feet, rifle in hand, d.
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, a huge
shapeless 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 he must
have deemed the vision confronting
him some illusion Of the desert, for he
never stirred except to rub gloved
hand across his eyes.
by all the gods, Dupont" roared
the Sergeant impatiently. do you
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 grasping 8
short, sawed-off gun. The expression
upon his face was ugly, as he began tc
dtmly understand what this unexpect
ed hold-up meant. There followed ar
instant Of silence, in which Hamlin
forgetful of Hughes, who still re
mained lying quiet in the snow, tool
step or two forward, rifle at shoul
der. The two Indians, swathed II
blankets, but with arms upraised
were in direct line, motionless as stat
ues. He could see the CLEAN of theiI
dark eyes, and even noticed the fgur,
of the girl straighten In the saddle.
Dupont gave fierce utterance to al
oath, Apparently he failed to recog
nlze the soldier, but as Hughes rose t.
his knees, suspicion leaped instantly
to his brain.
"a hold-up, hey!" he said coolly
Hughes, you sneaklng old coward
come out into the open once. Wha
is it you want?"
Nothing to that, Dupont" returned
the Sergeant, glancing back question
ingly toward his companion. "You
old partner is here under my orders
l am Sergeant Hamlin, Seventh Cav
airy Throw down that gun!"
what! You"
Eyes, you are my prisoner. I've fol
lowed you from Dodge. Throw dow
the gum"
1t dropped sullenly into the snow
Nov, Hughes, go ahead, and dis
arm those Indians"
The cowman shufTled forward. re
volVer in hand, circling to keep safe
ly beyond the reach of Dupont, VIII
eyed him maliciously. The latter wa
so buttoned up in buffalo coat as t
make 1t impossible for him to reac
a weapon, and Hamlin permitted hi
eyes to Waver slightly, as he watche
the Indians. What occurred the mex
instant came so suddenly as scarcel
to leave an impression. 1t was swift
, instructive action, primitive impulse
An Indian hand fell beneath its blar
ket covering; there was a flash @
fame across a pony's saddle; Hughe
sprang backward, and went reeling IL
to the snow. Hamlin fred, as the say
age lodged between the horses legi
sending him sprawling, and, ignorin
the other Indian, swung about TO COY
er Dupont. Swift as he moved, h
was too late with one desperat