Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-08-14
COPYRIGHT 1912 BY A.c.reclURo q CO.

men on loot, reellng as they trampeu
forward, their heads lowered in utter
weariness. 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 fun meaning of their exhaus-
ton, 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, bound
prisoner in the midst Of those ruftians,
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
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, 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 a 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 vas 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, rifle 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 their
dark eyes, and even noticed the figure
of the girl straighten in the saddle.
Dupont gave fierce utterance to an
oath. Apparently he failed to recog.
nlze the soldier, but as Hughes rose to
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. What
is 1t you want?"
Nothing to that, Dupont" returned
the Sergeant, glancing back question
ingly toward his companion. "Youl
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 dowr
the gum"
1t dropped sullenly into the snow.
Now, Hughes. go ahead, and dis
arm those Indians"
The cowman shufiled 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
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. It was swift
instructive action, primitive impuls,
An Indian hand fell beneath its blal
ket covering; there was a flash {
fame across pony's saddle; Hughe
sprang backward, and went reellng IL
: to the snow. Hanlin fred, as the sa'
age lodged between the horses leg
: sending him sprawling, and, ignorin
the other Indian, swung about to CO
er Dupont Swift as he moved, b
: was too late. With one desperat