The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-10-14
CHAPTER ~.
A Mysterious Guest.

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guish small objects, he saw
the proof, but even before that the ali
seemed tingling with some strange per
sonslity. He stood like a statue. gaz
ing fixedly. 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 a heap Of tobacco and a
clay pipe beside It
After 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 1t 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 a 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-
naming man. he who stood at the heap
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 1t Gledware
who had visited his dugout or the In
dams? 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 seem
alarmed. Had he made friends with
the chief by promising to conduct him
to the deserted wagon? IL so. what
would they think in regard to the wag-
on's disappearance? Had the dugout
persuaded them that there was no
other retreat in the mountains?
While Brick watched In agitated 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
cleaning against the green of the ce-
dars. Brick had but to remain where
he was to reach forth his hand pres
emily and seize the warrior, but In that
case those on the plain would come
swarming up the ascent for vengeance.
Brick darted from his post. swept
like a dipping swallow across the ra-
vine and. snatching up the rope ladder
from its nook under the bowlder. sour
ried 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 reassured. 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 wilcox 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. IL was
thus he hoped to prevent surprise from
inimical horsemen. and 1t was thus
that on this particular afternoon he
detected a shadow creeping over the
reddish brown stone passage.
At first glimpse of that shadow of
festhered head wilcox flung himself
down the dirt steps leading TO the open
door. Now, lying fiat, he directed the
barrel OF his gun over the edge of the
evel ground. covering an approaching
horseIsan. As only one Indian came
into view and as tins indian was arm
ed In a manner as astounding ~ 1t
was Irresistible. Wilcox rose to his
height of six feet three, lowered his
weapon and advanced to meet him
When he was near. the Indian-the
same chief from whom Wilcox had
fied on the day OF his intended house
lightly TO the ground
and lifted from the horse that defense
which he had borne In front of him on
the cove. II was the child
for whose sake Wilcox had separated
himself from his kind.
At first Wilcox thought he was
dreaming. The Indian made sign 70
the little girl TO remain with the horse.
then he glided forward. holding some
what ostenta tiously. filed pipe In his
extended hand.