Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-08-22

IOrWarQp Cn6lr n0a06 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
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
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. It was this impress
sion which caused him to act reckless
ly, rising to his feet, rifle in hand, di-
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
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
a 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-
nize the soldier, but as Hughes rose to
his knees, suspicion leapea instantly
to his braia.
"A hold-up. hey!' he said coolly.
Hughes, you sneaKlng CID coward,
come out inEo the open once. What
Is it you wsnt?"
Nothing to that, Dupont returned
the Sergeant, glancing back question
ingly toward his companion. Your
old partner is here under my orders.
am Sergeant Hamlin, Seventh Cav
airy. Throw down that gum"
s'Whatl You"
Yes, yon are my prisoner. I'VE fol-
lowed you from Dodge Throw down
the guns"
It dropped sullenly into the snow.
Now, Hughes, go ahead, and dis
arm those Indians"
The cowman shuff1ed forward, re-
volver In hand, circling to keep safe
~ beyoEd the reach of Dupont, who
eyed him maliciously. The latter was
so butt0ned up in a buffalo coat as to
make It Impossible for him to reach
a weapon, and Hamlin permitted his
eyes tC waver slightly, as he watched
the Indians. What occurred the next
! instant came SO suddenly as scarcely
to leave an impression It was swift.
instructive action. primitive impulse.
An Indian hand fell beneath its blan-
ket covering; there was flash of
flame across a pony's saddle; Hughes
sprang backward, and went reeling in
to the snow. Hamlin fired, as the saw
age lodged between the horses legs,
sending him sprawling, and, ignoring
the other Indian, swung about to COW
er Dupont. Swift as he moved, he
was too late. With one desperate