The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-09-18
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men on foot, Keeling as they tramped
forward. their heads lowered In utter
WEAKNESS. The girl alone was in sad
die, 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-
ton, and to sympathize with it. He
had passed through similar baptism,
and remembered the desperate clutch
OF the storm-king.
But the sight Of that poor girl sway
ing helplessly in the saddle, bound
prisoner in the midst of those ruffians,
who had murdered her father before
her eyes and who were bearing her
to all the unspeakable horrors of In
dian captivity, instantly stifled within
him every plea Of mercy. No matter
what they had suffered. they were a
ruthless, merciless gang of cut
threats, and thieves, fleeing from JUS
ttce, 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. It was this impress
sion which caused him to act reckless
ly, rising to his feet. rifle in hand, d.
rectly in their track, hating 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, 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 a
short, sawed-off gun. The expression
upon his face was ugly, as he began to
dimly understand what this unexpect.
ed hold-up meant. There followed an
instant of silence, In which Hamlin
forgetful of Hughes, who still re.
NAMED lying quiet in the snow, took
step or two forward, rife at shout
| der. The two Indians, swathed In
blankets, but with arms appraised
were in direct line, motionless as stat
ues. He could see the CLEAN of theil
dark eyes, and even noticed the figure
Of the girl straighten in the saddle
Dupont gave fierce utterance to ar
oath. Apparently he failed to recog
nize the soldier, but as Hughes rose tc
his knees, suspicion leaped instantl,
to his brain.
"A hold-up. hey!" he said coolly
Hughes, you sneaklng old coward
come out into the open once. VIVA,
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 gum"
What! You"
Eyes, you are my prisoner. I've fol
lowed you from Dodge. Throw dowr
the gum"
1t dropped sullenly into the snow.
Now, Hughes, go ahead, and dis
arm those Indians"
The cowman shuffled 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 reacl
a weapon. and Hamlin permitted hi
eyes to waver slightly, as he watches
the Indians. What occurred the mex
instant came go suddenly as scarcel
to leave an impression. It was swift
instructive action. primitive impulse
An Indian hand fell beneath it's blan
ket covering; there was a flash o
flame across pony's saddle; Hughe
sprang backward, and went Keeling In
to the snow. Hamlin fired. as the sa,
age lodged between the horses legs
sending him sprawling. and. ignorin
the other Indian, swung about to co,
er Dupont. Swift as he moved, h
was too late. With one desperat