Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-25
CHAPTER XVII.
The Snake In the Image.

CHAPTER xxvlII.
The Snake In the Image.
"~)HEY mean business this
time,: Drake growled as
they did their best to bar
- ,ricude the single door aud
Window. X believe those hills are full
Of them"
And own bullies aren't up fight.
ing with good grace, either" Wilker.
son confessed. These half whites
have no sand.'' ~. #dS
"1t's; I'm odd thing" Drake said wheH'
the afternoon bad passed without an
assault, that we hear firing. but none
Of 1t Is directed atsuA d
That's 80" Wiikerson responded
thonghtfully. Il wonder who 1t can
be?"
he was soon to Know. for after night
fall John Dorr and his single attendant
rode furiously up to the hut and tried
for Abundance.
Anew scattering shots told that they,
had been discerned ID their flight.
For. the moment Wilkersohi did not
recognize his old enemy. disguised us
be was in native costume but when
he was sure he reluctantly oleuedsthe
door and admitted hima
John flung himself Inside and jam,
med the door to just as q, second hail
Of bullets ratified ohsits surface Then
he stared at the man opposite him.
"Wilkersonr he gaspeds
"Yes. it'sEmes" was the ssnarlins re.
Spouse. what arr you doing here?'
Some hillmen took Us for enemies.
and chased US pretty much all sday3
long" [Dorr explained. I've saw this
hut. aud WhenAt wassdAHS stnoughttg
conceal Dur movements. we made for
it." @$@r Ea&sss5p
"And nov youtscany make for some
other place. Wilkerson said. handling
his revolvers1neafi,ngly.
JotinllauglIed III ~ ~
Il feel myself that the place Is too
small for both or us. But it's white
man against native now. II they get
mesthey'M get you. Our only hope Is
t0tsticks together now" a$ 80
s"l'n see you dead frsts' srfaried the
other. .g
But Drake spoke up and silenced
iim!y I'd
"W'hifesyous two are fighting for the
beretit Of the servants those hilllnen
are preparing to assault the hut"
A. long look through q crack showed
the hillmen closing uplabout them, and
Wilkerson gave In With d. bad grace.
He was glad Of the help, however,
when the: firing grew hotter and athey
were hard pressed in the hut.
The natives proved themselves ar
rant towards. and It depended on the
three white men to defend the place.
This they did with such success that
their assailants slowly Withdrew.
Now Is the time for a s0ttie." said
Dorr. "We've got to drive them clean
away from here or else well3be as bad.
" OF az, ever"
"AnStsOu duN DIdhS oSlSCu,r uNO
John promptly led them out in a wild
rush against the nearest hillnen.
These were so surprised at the bold
ness Of the maneuver that they fed.
and soon the coast was clear except
for a few too badly wounded to join
in their comrades fight
Now that the immediate peril was
past. Wilkersonfand Dorr found them.
selves again antagonists
But both were 50 wearled that by
one accord they silently consented to a
truce.
Yet wilkerson could not resist taunt.
ing his rival.
1T looks as II. you were always a
little late" he said. throwing himself
back in a settle while John dropped
upon q stool by the table.
Il heard you got the IDOL" John re-.
piled ID a dull tone.
Eyes. and what was in the idol too!"'
Then, despite brakes gestures of re
m0nstrance. he went on: II got the
deeds and the muster key and the
Idol and the plans Tomtlallon robbed
me of. ! guess I'm ahead in this
game"
John nodded. his fatigue so great
that he was unable even to reply.
Il guess that's right" said Wilker.
son In an altered tone. wen catch a
4fde- leeded sleep and ket away be.