Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1915-04-09

The Fire In the Clearing.

HfN " ~ NfnNs
lie climbed the stairs. mutterIng
savagely. with mo following so close
behind, the muzzle OF my gun touched
his back.
] am playing safe" muttered
grimly, SO don't try any tricks in the
dark"
We cams out IN tho shore, pausInr
a moment TO gaze out across the wa.
ter TO the gloom OF the mainland
The red and yellow flames liz up the
open space fairly well. but all around
the black forest wall closed In tightly.
IL was like n grotesque picture I'm n
frame. Before tho fire, mostly with
their backs toward us | counted TWEEN.
~ savages on tho grass, their red
skins and matted hair showing clear.
w. They were silent, %motlonless. an.
%parently staring Into the flames. The
hendish yelling came from beyond.
from the other side OF the fire. whore
! caught ftful glimpse OF wildly dane.
ing figures, OF arms flung In air. OF
%brhndished guns. and streaming hair.
saw MademolLeli rise silently TO
her feet, but my hand only grlpped
harder on the Engllshman's shoulder
as ! watched. Brady advanced be-.
tween two Indians, his arms bound be-.
hind him, n bloody cloth conceallng
his Jaw. lie was bare.headed, his
clothing rags, and he staggered slight.
ly as he walked. An Indian truck
him with n stlcl., a vicious blow, and
Lappin Jerked him forward between
tho chiefs and the fire. The warriors
sat there impressive, emotionless, their
eyes cold and mcrclloss. Brady look.
ed Into that ring Of savage faces with.
out n culver, throwing back his shout
ders, blood trlckllng down one check.
II even seemed to mo his eyeB smiled.
Then one OF the chiefs spoke without
rising, In deep cultural voice. I heard
tho words, but they were meaningless,
n tumble OF sound, yet somehow me-
nacing, grur with threat. The dis.
cordant yelling ceased, and a dark
mass OF forms clustered beyond the
blaze, drawing together. In n half cir.
Gle behind the prisoner. The light
played over dark. sinister faces and
sparkled In the wild savage eyes.
The girl stepped backward, Noise
lessly, until she stood beside me, her
hand touching my arm.
w are here in time" she Wits.
pered, but can delay no longer"
lie is condemned then? They will
not spare hlm?"
The chief speaks In Shawnee, and
] know little OF the tongue, but there
IL no mercy In his words"
And you mea to go out there, to
face those iends? Are you not
afraid?"
She smiled. a sad. brave smile up
into my eye
Monsieur, | must" she said plead.
ingly. 1T Is not only his life, but my
duty. | leave my rife here. and bear
this; with Christ | nm not afraid"
And In her clasped hands. Redeemed
by the flames, | saw a cruclnx.
"Mademoisello, II this man speaks
a word OF t%reachery; II by look or ges.
ture he attempts to play us false, will
you give me a sign"
Yes, Monsieur"
CLASP your hands like this about
your head; II will be his death war.
rant. Now, sir. are you ready ?"
There was hate In his eyes. but |
was glad OF It.
"Ohl but I'll get you for this. Yes,
I'm ready. you clod OF a Yankee peas.
anti but youll pay before ever you
get out OF these woods-oh, Lord
you'll pay"
! half thought he would spring nj
me. and drew back, my rife lifted.
But he only laughed, his lips snarllng,
and strobe past crunching his way
through the thlckot. | caught tho
swift upward glance OF the girls eyes
message OF thanks, ayl more
and she had followed him. I sprang
amid the trunks OF trees, conf.
dent ! could not be seen, that every
eye would be riveted upon
those two advancing figures. The
afforded me sufficient guidance.
and ] possessed some idea OF where
to go. | found II with a dozen
quick steps, and, even as the first
Wild scream OF discovery burst from
the red throats. ! crept In behind a
.decaying log. at the very edge OF tho
opening, aud trust my rife barrel
across the rotten bark. Deliberately.
with full determination to act.
| drew bead on the red jacket.
They were not Ave yards away. ad.
vanclng straight toward the startled
group OF chiefs. the girl slightly in
advance, the freight on her uplIfted
face. the white oruclhx cleaning In
her hands. Tho Engllshman, a step
his FIRST mad anger already
dying. walked like a criminal, with