The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-08-13

osOAo' saw q lave Willie 0uu 6nooIAy
in the starlight, lean, smooth-shaven,
looking emaciated against the long.
dark hair. the eyes bright with fanati-
cism. He was q tall, spare man. shak-
ing SO he could hardly stand. The
very sight of him aroused my SYM
pathy.
Don't be afraid" 1 said soothingly.
We're all white. How did you come
here"
His eyes looked at me as 1 spoke;
then shifted to Schultz's face in silent
questioning. The latter was breath
ing hard, but managed to explain.
HE not talk English yer goot. Myn-
heer. l tell you vat he say NIT me
he vos a Dutch preacher: yaw. mine
Colt; yust over py mine own coun-
tries; he vos named Adrian Block"
did he swim all the way?" asked
Brady grinning. but Schultz kept his
eyes fastened on me, held by the one
thought to which he sought to give ut
terance.
HE vos Moravian. mynheer: vot
you call mis-sonary-so? He Won
month in dees country, an know only
to preach"
The girl leaning forward. interrupt
ed with a whisper:
Il recognize the man. monsieur: he
was the prisoner told you of In the
Indian camp-the Protestant"
They lef' him only NIT one guard
an after while. dot fellow he fall
asleep. Den he got loose mid his
bonds, an creep down NIT der shore
of der lake where a boat wus. So he
driff out on der water: but der boat
leak. an 60 down. leaving him init not.
tings. Dot vas 1t. mynheer. Den he
swim SOM an pray mooch. an &C
com here NIT us. already"
where did the Indians go?"
up init der lake ehore-so like dis,"
waving his hand.
"All Of them? The two white men
also?"
Schultz repeated the question. and
Block answered. never once removing
his eyes from mademoiselle.
"He know not what became Of der
little man: he see him not for long
while. but der big man he &c NIT der
Injuns-yaw. he tells dem der way.
an talk all der time"
I'VE have got the situation clear
enough" concluded Brady. coolly.
whoever that red-coat IL. he evident
~ knows the best way to this island.
and the fix we're in. So far as can
see there Is nothing left us but to
fight. We cant get away now; the
boat is useless, and those Injuns have
blocked the ford. That's exactly
where they are now. watchin' fer us
to attempt to cross. The only ques.
ton is: Where can we hold out the
longest? I'm fer goin' back to the
house."
"And ALSO" said, deciding instant.
ly. and as quickly assuming command.
There Is small chance Of our holding
out long against those fellows, but
we'll do the best we can. What about
you, mademoiselle?"
II go with you." she answered
quietly.
Against your own people,"
Those are not my people! They
are outlaws, renegades. led by the
murderer OF my fatner.
Then let US 60 back; every moment
lost will count against US. Pick up
the packs. Brady, you lead off;
Schultz, take care of the preacher and
keep his tongue STILL"
The house was exactly as we left
it, a few red embers on the hearth
alone shedding spectral light about
the main room, as we CROPPED our way
forward. There we're heavy wooden
bars to fit across the doors, and Sc
cured these as soon as l deposited my
pack on the floor.
"Mademoiselle," said, staring about
at the blank walls in some perplexity.
you know this place better than any
of US; surely it was not erected here
in the wilderness without some pro-
vision for defense in case of attack.
Are those walls solid?"
"No, monsieur; they were made
tight, so no CLEAN of light would ever
show without, but there are gunports
here-see."
She slipped aside a small wooden
shutter, fitted ingeniously between the
for rife barrel.
There are four along this wall, and
as many opposite. At the rear you
must stand on the bench. SO as to fire
above the shed roof"
Leave that preacher alone, and
open them up, Schultz" commanded
sharply. There is not light enough
here now to show without. Now.
Brady, see If there are any extra guns
in the shack, or ammunition. Lay
everything out here convenient. A
rife? Good! Well give that to our
Moravian friend; he may be opposed
to war on principle, but, by all the
gods! he'll fight now, il Schultz can
pound the truth into him. What Is
that, mademoiselle? Powder and ball
in the big chest; show Brady where
it Is. This isn't going to be such q
one-sided affair after ALL Five of use.
counting Block. who may not know
which end of the gun to point. l am