The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-03-13

"ETNl HEY mean business thi
i Iz time Drake growled q
| sIFS55sS| they did their best to ba,
4 ~ ricadc the single door IN,
window II believe those hills are ful
Of them,
And our own bnllies aren't up fight
ing with good grace. either" Wilker
son confessed These half white:
have no sand
Its an odd thing Drake said whel
the afternoon had passed without al
assault, that we hear firing. but non.
Of it is directed at u.s.
That's So, Wilkerson responded
thoughtfully. Il wonder who it cal
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 admittance
\ A few scattering shots told that they
had been discerned III their flight.
For the moment Wilkerson did not
! recognize his old enemy disguised as
he was In native costume, but when
he was sure he reluctantly opened the
(, door and admitted him
John flung himself inside and jam.
med the door to just as a second hail
Of bullets ratified on its surface Then
he stared at the man opposite him
"Wilkersonr he gasped.
"Yes, it's me-" was the snarling re-
sponse "What are you doing here?'
"Some hillmen took us for enemies
and chased us pretty much all day
long," Dorr explained I'VE saw this
hut, and when it was dark enough to
conceal our movements we made for
it."
"And now you can make for some
other place" Wilkerson said, handling
his revolver meaningly.
John laughed
Il feel myself that the place is too
small for both of us. But it's white
man against native now. If they get
me they'll get you. Our only hope is
to stick together now"
'T'll see you dead frsts snarled the
other.
But Drake spoke up and sienced
him.
while you two are fighting for the
benefit Of the servants those hillmcn
are preparing to assault the hut
A long look through crack showed
the hillmen closing up about them, and
Wilkerson gave III with n bad grace.
He was glad Of the help. however
when the firing grew hotter and they
We're 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 sortic.v said
Dorr We've got to drive them clean
away from here or else well be as bad
ly off as ever"
Wilkerson and Drake agreed, aud
John promptly led them out in wild
rush against the nearest hillmcn.
These were so surprised at the bold
ness of the maneuyer that they fed.
and soon the coast was clear except
for a few too badly wounded TO join
I'm their comrades flight.
Now that the immediate peril was
past, Wilkerson and Dorr found them
selves again antagonists.
But both were so wearied that by
one accord they silently consented to a
truce
Yet wilkerson could not resist taunt-
ing his rival
ut looks as il you were always a
little late" he said, throwing himself
back in a settle while John dropped
upon stool by the table.
81 heard you got the idol" John re
piled In a dull tone
Eyes, and what was in the idol too!"
Then, despite brakes gestures of re-
monstrance, he went on. Il got the
deeds and the master key and the
idol and the plans Tom Gallon robbed
me Of guess I'm ahead In this
game"
John nodded. his fatigue so great |
that he was unable even to reply.
81 guess that's right" said wiIker-
son In an altered tone. "We'll catch a
little needed sleep and get away be
fore daylight Time enough then to
talk"
For little while both men kept their |
eyes open. watchful each Of the other
Willerson was the first TO laugh and
say: whats the use? I've got the
things and the men to defend them
I'm going TO sleep. You'd better do so
too. Drake will keep watch"
John nodded carelessly and laid his
head on bis hands. folded on the table.
A moment later he was asleep. and
not long afterward willkerson's satur
nine visage was turned TO the shad-
owy ceiling.
Drake sat In a corner on the pack
sacks. his revolver in hand.
The natives slqmbered across from