The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1915-12-09

and a plan for the morrow. We met |
with no one. heard no noise except the |
steady pounding Of our horse's hoofs. |
A little later the sky to the east be.
gan to tighten In the promise OF dawn
We climbed a long hill, our horses
slowing to the ascent, and by the time
we attained the summit the gray light
revealed our faces. ! looked across
at her. and her eyes. uplifted sud.
denly to mine. smiled.
You are worn out" ! said.
II am tired" she confessed. e.
I have been two days and nights with.
out sleep. II ! could only rest for an
hour"
"You shall-all day long. We will
find a place IN which to hide down
there In the valley"
The road led winding down between
rocky banks into narrow valley.
hemmed IN by great hills. and watered
by a small stream. As we paused to
let the thirsty animals drink. the In.
creasing daylight gave me glimpse OF
a bride path skirting the edge OF the
stream along the west bank. The
path turned sharply to the right. and
as we mounted to the slightly higher
ground we could see the cabin perched
on little knoll. against the black hill
behind.
Surely nothing about the shanty. or
its immediate surroundings indicated
present occupancy. Yet when ! finally
advanced II was with caution. and a
strange sense of expectation. Noreen
followed closely behind, treading al
most In my footsteps. as noiseless as
fawn. her skirts held close about her
limbs. At the edge OF the woods she
stood motionless as went crouchine
forward. The cabin was not deserted.
In spite of its desolate outward ap'
pearance. Opposite me was an open
fireplace. an iron kettle sitting In the
ashes. while a short-barreled rifle
stood upright in a corner. On one OF
the stools lay a broad.brimmed hat.
and pair of ragged corduroy trousers
hung on a wooden peg beside the un.
barred door. ! motioned to her to
Join me. In spite Of the lines OF weari.
ness in her face the light OF the dawn
revealed a beauty that caused my
heart to throb. Her eyes silently ques'
toned me. and | explained quickly
what discovery had made.
But the man may return" she said
doubtfully
"Oi course, although ! imagine he
has disappeared for the day. II he
Is hiding out he may not dare to re-
main here in daylight Anyway you
can rest safely, for ] am not In need
OF any sleep. ! mapped In my cell
yesterday. and just short doze will
serve me. But you are terribly tired
1t is In your eyes"
Yes" she confessed. II must sleeI
I somewhere"
1 Then come: we'll find bite to ea'
I and a place for you to lie down."
; opened the door noiselessly al
though took no special precaution
and held It wide. while she stepped
across the threshold. and stood look
| ing curiously about. Then I closed !
N behind us. and we were In sort o
H twilight. amid which objects appeared
II rather indistinct.
II All" ! said, 1.-THE fellows cupboar
Al must be over yonder. hope he keep
II 1t well stocked"
II stepped across In front of her. wit
no other thought than that OF explol
Il ing the larder, when she gave vent t
n startled cry. and stopped suddenl,
a sweeping my eyes about to learn tn
cause Of alarm. The ragged quilt wa
: on the floor. and man leaped acros
the room and grasped the rifle In tn
. corner. saw the swift movemen
MI realized the purpose. yet had scarce
\ time to draw revolver from the bel
III before he had hand on the weapo
M and whirled savagely about, facing u
II For the instant the gloom disfigurt
81 his facial ! knew was that he W,
81 u big fellow. with ragged. untrimm,
hair and scraggly beard. stepp,
forward and flung up my arm.
Drop it," said shortly. Lift tn
gun and you're dead"
Il At first I thought him crazy enou,
- to take the chance OF my fire: tn
n. tHC piS uuSSio ttiuANu, anu TUG ~
fell Gathering to the floor To my 8,
prise. the fellow laughed.
to We'll. III be damned" he chortl,
! you here?"
Ter He threw back his head. and ! r,
ne. ognized him--Jem Taylor. old N
Try Cowan. drew quick breath, I
1 ! teeth clenched. my arm steady. tt
the encounter was going to prove no DO
the play.
uld Put down yer popgun. boy, an ia
II, It easy-the blame thing mout go
,on | reckon as how we all hav'n't
eep nuthin' ter fight fer. hav' we? II
ter, ther Sam Hill did yer ever git yers
the Now wait" broke In coldly, ~
ing stand just where you are. am
We sure whether you know me or n
the but ! know you. Ned Cowan--I KIN
Ugh what you did at Hot Springs. and b
My you took me along so as TO make @
A., II.