The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-05-02

|
fes' he answered, feeling 1t was
better to tell her frankly. He was
shot' and Is beyond our help. But
come and he reached over and took
ner hand, you must not give up now"
She offered no resistance. but sat
motlonless, her face turned away.
let she knew she trembled from head
10 1901, the reaction mastering her A
red tongue of flame seemed to slit the
outside blackness; there was a single
sharp report, echoing back from the
dun, but no sound Of the striking bull
let Just an instant he caught
glimpse of her face. as she drew back
startled.
"Oh, they are coming again! What
shall we do?"
NO." he insisted, still retaining her
hand, confident in his judgment.
Those fellows will rot attempt to
rush US again tonight. You must
keep cool, for we shall need all our
wits to get away. An Indian never
risks night assault, unless it is a
surprise. He wants to see what he is
up against. Those bucks have got all
they want Of this outfit; they have
no reason to suppose any of US were
hit. They are as much afraid as we
are, but when it gets daylight, and
they can see he shape we're in, then
they'll come yelling"
But they can lie out there in the
dark and shoot" she protested. That
shot was aimed at us, wasn't it?"
81 reckon it was, but it never got
here. Don't let that worry you; if an
Indian ever hits anything with a gun
it's going to be by pure accident" He
| stared out of the window. They're
liable 10 bang away occasionally, and
suppose 1t is up to US to make some
| response just to tell them we're
awake and ready. But they amt fir
ing expecting to do damage-only to
attract attention while they haul off
! their dead There's a red snake yon-
der now creeping along in the grass
see!"
NO" Historically. "it is just black
to me-"
You haven't got the plainsmans
eyes yet. Watch. now; I'm going to
stir the fellow up"
He leaned forward, the stock of the
/ Henry held to his shoulder, and she
clutched the window-casing An in,
slant the muzzle of the rife wavered
slightly, then steaded into position.
Have to guess the distance" he
muttered in explanation, and pulled
the trigger.
There was a light flash, a sharp
ringing report. yell in the distance,
followed by the sound of scrambling
Hamlin laughed. as be lowered his
gun.
Made him hump, anyway" he COM
mented cheerfully. Now what comes
next"
IL do not know" she answered
as though the question had been asked
her. do you?"
Somehow she was not as fright
ened as she had been. The calm
steady GOODNESS of the man was hav
ing its natural effect, was helping 10
control her own nerves. She felt his
strength, his confidence, and was be-
ginning to lean upon him-he seemed
to know exactly what he was about.
We'll, no, honestly don't; not
yet he returned, hestating slightly
There is no use denying we are in a
mighty bad hole if Moylan hadn't
got shot we might have held out till
help arrived; I've got about twenty
| cartridges left; but you and | alone
never could do it. I've got to Think it
out, reckon; this has been blind
fight so far; nothing to it but blaz-
ing away as fast IS | could pull trig
ger. Now, maybe. | can use my brains
a bit"
She could not see him, but some in
stinct led her to put out her hand and
touch the rough sleeve of his shirt II
made her sure of his presence. his
protection. The man felt the move
ment, and understood it's meaning,
his heart throbbing strangely.
You are going to trust me?"
"Of-of course; how could you
doubt that?"
Well" still half questioning. you
see Pm only an enlisted man, and
sometimes officers ladies think we
are mostly pretty poor stuff, just food
for powder"
She frightened her grip on his
| sleeve, drawing a quick breath of sur.
prise.
"Oh, but | am not like that; truly
am not. I-Saw your face this after
! noon, and-and l liked you then. ]
will do whatever you say"
Thank YOU" he said simply. ITO
know that makes everything so much
easier for me. We shall have to work
together from now on. You keep sharp
watch at the window there, while |
think q bit-there's ordinarily a
chance somewhere, you know. If one
Is only bright enough to uncover it.
How still the night was, and dark;
although the sky was cloudless, the
stars shone clearly away up in the
black vault Not even the howl of
distant coyote broke the silence. To
the left, seemingly full half-mile dis
tant, was the red flicker Of a fire,
barely visible behind projection of
bank. But in front not even the keen
eyes of the Sergeant could distinguish
any sign of movement Apparently
the Indians mad abandoned their at
tnmnt to RECOVER the bodies of their