The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-10-21
CHAPTER III.
A Mysterious Guest.

A MySteriouS Guest ~ F course, as soon as Bricks eyes could penetrate the semi4 gloom sufficiently to distin-
 guish small objects, he saw the proof, but even before that the air seemed tingling with some strange per sonality. He stood like a statue, gag ing dxedly. His aIert eyes, always on guard, had assured him that the cove was deserted. There was no use to look behind him. Whoever had been. there must have sealed the mountain and had either crossed to the plain on the north or was hiding behind the rocks. What held his eyes t to the stove was a heap of tobacco and clay pipe beside it. 4
 After a few minutes of iTnmobility he entered, placed the meat on box and departed softly, closing the door behind him. Casting apprehensive glances along the mountainside, he stole toward it and made his way up the gully. Not pausing at the crevice, he went on to the outer northern ridge of the range and, lying flat among some high rocks, looked down.
 He counted seventeen men near the spot from which he had removed the wagon. Fifteen were on horseback, and two riderIess horses explained the presence of the two on foot. All of them. had drawn up in a circle about the heap of stones that lowered the woman's burial place. Of the seven teen, sixteen were Indians, painted and adorned for the warpath. The re- maining man, he who stood at the heap of stones beside the chief, was white man, and at the~frst glance Willock recognized him. He was the dead wo- mans husband, Henry Gledware.s
 Bricks mind was perplexed with vain questionings. Was it Gledware who had visited his dugout or the In dians? Did the pipe and tobacco indi- cate a peace offering? What was the relationship between GIedware and these Indians? Was he their prisoner, and were they about to burn him upon the heap of stones? He did not seem alarmed. Had he made friends with the chief by promising to conduct him to the deserted wagon? If so what would they think in regard to tf4 Wag on's disappearance? Had the dugout persuaded them that there was no other retreat in the mountains? @
 While Brick watched in ag1tated sus- pense several Indians leaped to the ground at a signal from the chief and advanced toward the white man. The chief turned his back upon the com pany and started toward the noun tain, his face turned toward Bricks place of observation. He began climb ing upward, the red feather in his hair gleaming against the green of the ce7 dars. Brick had but to remain where he was to reach forth his hand pres ently and seize the warrior, but in that. case those on the plaip would come. gwarming up the ascent for vengeance.
 Brick darted from his post, swept like dipping swallow across the ra- vine and, snatching.. up the rope ladder from its nook under the powder, scur- Tied down into the granite chamber. Having removed the ladder he crept to the extremity of the excavation and with his back against the wall and his gun held in readiness awaited the com ing of the chief. After the lapse of many minutes he grew treasured. The Indian, thinking the dugout his only home, had passed the crevice without the slightest suspicion. However, lest in thrusting forth his head he call attention to his home in the rock, he kept in retreat the rest of that day. Nor did he venture forth that night.
 One bright warm afternoon in> Octo- Der two years later Brick WilIock sat smoking his pipe before the open door of his dugout- In repose he always sat when in the cove with his face to-. ward the natural roadway. It was thus he hoped to prevent surprise from Slimfcal horsemen, and it was thus that on this particular afternoon he detected shadow creeping over the reddish brown stone passage.
 Al first glimpse of that shadow of a feathered head WilIock flung himself down the dirt steps leading to the open door. Now, lying flat, he directed the barrel of his gun over the edge of the level ground, covering an approaching horseman. AS only one Indian came into vleW and as this Indian was arm ed fn a manner as astounding as it was irresistible, Wi1ock rose to bis height of six feet three, lowered his weapon and advanced to meet him.
 When he was near, the Indian-the same chief from whom Wi1lock had fled on the day of his intended house