The Bossier banner., 1915-10-14
CHAPTER III.
A Mysterious Guest.

A Mysterious Guest.
~ + course, as soon as Bricks |
RI 81 eyes could penetrate the semi
" gloom sufficiently to distin-
guish small objects, he saw
the proof, but even before that the air
seemed tingling with some strange per-
He stood like a statue, gaz-
ing fxedly. His alert 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 scaled the mountain
and had either crossed to the plain on
the north or was hiding behind the
rocks. What held his eyes to the
stove was heap of tobacco and
clay pipe beside it.
After a few minutes of immobility
he entered. placed the meat on a 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 fat 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 riderless horses explained the
presence Of the two on foot. All Of
them had drawn up in circle about
the heap Of stones that covered the
woman's burial place. OF the seven
teen, sixteen were Indians. painted
and adorned for the warpath. The re-
manning man, he who stood at the heap
of stones beside the chief, was white
man, and at the first glance Wilcox
recognized him. He was the dead wo-
mans husband, Henry Gledware.
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 Gledware and
these Indians? Was he their prisoner
| and were they about to burn him upon
the heap of stones? He did not seen
| alarmed. Had he made friends will
the chief by promising to conduct hin
to the deserted wagon? II so, wha1
| would they think in regard to the wag
/ on's disappearance? Had the dugou
persuaded them that there was NJ
other retreat in the mountains?
While Brick watched in agitated sus
pense several Indians leaped to th
ground at a signal from the chief ant
advanced toward the white man. Tn
chief turned his back upon the com
| pany and started toward the noun
tain. his face turned toward Brick
place Of observation. He began clint
ing upward, the red feather in his hal
cleaning against the green of the ce
,, dars. Brick had but to remain Wher
\ he was to reach forth his hand pres
emily and seize the warrior, but i'll tha
case those on the plain would com
swarming up the ascent for vengeance
Brick darted from his post, sWeI
like dipping swallow across the n
vine and, snatching up the rope laddt
from its nook under the bowlder, scu
ried down into the granite chambe
Having removed the ladder, he crel
to the extremity of the excavation al
with his back against the wall and b
gun held in readiness awaited the cor
ing of the chief After the lapse I
many minutes he grew reassured. III
Indian, thinking the dugout his on
home, had passed the creyice Witho'
the slightest suspicion.
However, lest in thrusting forth b
: head he call attention to his home
the rock, he kept in retreat the rest
that day. Nor did he venture for
that night.
One bright warm afternoon In Oct
Der two years later Brick Wilcox
: smoking his pipe before the open do
Of his dugout. In repose he alWa
sat when In the cove with his face
ward the natural roadway. 1t W
thus he hoped to prevent surprise fre
inimieal horsemen, and it was til
that on this particular afternoon
: detected shadow creeping over t
reddish brown stone passage.
. AT first glimpse of that shadow OF
featliered head Wilcox flung hims
e. down the dirt steps leading TO the OF
n door. Now, lying fiat, he directed I
u barrel of his gun over the edge of
Ip level ground, covering an approach
horseman. AS cnly one Indian ca.