The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

You sha'n't accept IT," she cried to
Kirk.
Hush" he cautioned, reminding
her by a jerk of mis- hand Of those in
the other hut.
He drew her hastily within. Jim
followed. still dumb. The four Next
cans who had been sent to keep quiet
the horses did not return. They never
returned
Now how much did you hear?"
Kirk demanded.
Everything"
"Everything?"
Everything after he said he had
ing?"
Then you heard"
THAT he offered to shoot one Of you
for the rest If you dropped back when
he fired"
Kirk released her.
Then you see there is no choice out
to do It,"
NO. no, not you!" She chung to
him.
She turned in challenge to Jim. He
wet his lips.
But he-the one who drops back
doesn't take any more upon himself
than he's in for anyway" Jim said.
Cereals orders are to shoot down
us-sthe men. Correal said he'd fire
the first shot at us himself-high: then
II one dropped back. he'd yell to his
men to shoot that one to make sure
of him. and the rest of you get away.
So the one who drops back doesn't
take any more than Is coming II he
doesn't do it. He merely takes 1t
alone for the rest"
But Kirk has no more obligation
to be that one than you because he
offers"
"Alice!" Kirk cried.
Kirk, I'm not going to say you
or he shouldn't take that chance
that certainty, l mean-it's not
chance. heard what Correal said.
/ saw his men go by. I can see IL
you don't accept they can murder
you both and father and Mr.. Clifford
besides. And I'm not asking either
father or Mr.. Clifford to be in the
choice with YOU, but you shall GER
tainly take Jim in with you! You
sha'n't do it yourself just because
you are willing to-"
"of course mott" Jim wet his lips
again. 1T Is mine as much as his"
lie seemed to force himself on. You
needn't be afraid IL I'm drawn! 1
won't fail. Kirk" he said.
How shall we draw" Kirk asked.
Alice looked about the hut swiftly
before there could be any change in
the plans. A Mexican earth jar
with a neck large enough to admit a
hand stood on the floor in the moon
light. She pounced upon it and emp
tied ii of the dry meal 1t contained.
Two large Mexican glass bead but
tons. sewed on the sleeve of her rid
ing habit. glinted at her. one was
black. the other white. Kirk had
bought them from a pedler at the
hacienda and she had sewed them
on. They were identical in size and
shape, differing only in color. She tore
them of and dropped them into the
jar.
zone is black. one white" she re-
called to Kirk. you've no obligation
to do it unless you draw the black
one" She offered the jar first to him.
He hesIated. then. looking at Reilly
took the jar from her.
Thank you. Alice" he said. I'VE
will draw after you are gone"
NO, here before me. | sha'n't let
you d. it unless you're drawn
I'VE will draw" Kirk quoted her
He led her out and. obeying him,
she went up to the other hut.
The old people were still asleep on
the floor. No one of them stirred
as she crept within. but she could
not compose herself to lie down. The
moon, hung high over the valley,
siIvering it all with its shmmering
light. emphasized the rugged. impass-
able sheerness of the rocks on both
sides-the imposibllity of fighting a
way out. There was no choice except
whether one would be shot down
for the others or all four men to-
gether.
AS she looked down at the old men.
sleeping beside their wives, she knew
they could not he drawn into the
hazard. Though it was for Kinks life
most of all the moment she cared
his hot, daring spirit which had over
whelmed her half an hour before
she knew she could not wish that he
permit these old men to share his
chance.
But was he sharing the chance. even
with jim? Why had he sent her away.
unless in making pretence of Jims
drawing with him he himself planned
to be drawn?
She left the hut and started back to
the other. Still. suppose they had
drawn, and drawn fairly, and Kirk had
the black bead Would she dare
know 1t? The certainty would be be-
fore her then-not the chance-the
certainty of his death in the morning.
She watched the other hut and lis
tened for signs to tell her of the fate
decided without making her go nearer
She heard two voices, but she could
make out no words and nothing from
the tones, But finally Kirk came out
and sat before the hut. Jim did not
appear. Her heart bounded. Kirk
would not be keeping the watch If
he were drawn. She came forward.
Kirk, rising as he saw her. signalled
her for silence
Hush" he whispered. "Jim-he's
trying to sleep"
Then you've drawn" She seized
him
Yes, we've drawn"