The Tomahawk., 1916-12-28


tache. ut is for you to decide to
leave for the good of the tribe, or
to stay and take the chance Of an up
rising"
''The way you put tt" considered
Hardy. "Perhaps it might be better
for all concerned If I should leave"
"You bet it would, Cap" eagerly
broke in Dupont. "'Tain't no Joke.
Them ornery cusses IL git you like
they done with Nogen, just as sure
as shooting"
Vandervyn shot a furious glance at
the blunderer. Marie was looking at
Hardy. But she did not need to see
the Tightening of his lips to realize
what her father had done.
"Oh, Perez she reproached. "Why
did you say it? You should have
known Captain Hardy could not leave
after that"
"Quite right, Miss Dupont" said
Hardy.
"You mean, you won't leaye?" asked
Dupont.
GLOW can hep Vandervyn smoothly
cut in. "You've put it up to him that
it would be deserving his post under
fire. He's an army oficer-he wouldn't
leave now even if he knew his staying
here meant certain massacre for us
all, followed by certain massacre of
the tribe by the troops"
II will remain until I have made at
least one more effort to pacify the
tribe" replied Hardy. "You are at
liberty to resign whenever you please.
Mr.. Dupont has ample time to remove
his goods and his daughter from the
reservation"
"Not me-" declared Marie: II don't
care what Pere and Reggie say; I
know there is not one of the tribe who
would harm me, even in an outbreak"
''Well, mebbe not" admitted her ia
Their.
II gather that am the only person
who seems to be endangered" re-
marked Hardy. ''This being so, will
wait few days for the excitement to
subside, and will then call another
council"
"They won't come ag'in to meet you,"
predicted Dupont.
"Then I shall go to them"
'Into the mountains, captain7" ex-
claimed Marie, her splendid eyes wild
ening with concern. "Surely you will
not venture among the camps"
'The tribe must learn that I mean
friendship"
Dupont paused to scratch the side
of his head. But Vandervyn spoke
without an instant's hesitancy: "You
have no right to throw your life away
uselessly, captain. Suppose Charlie
and make trip to the camps, to see
if we cannot quiet the tribe and talk
the chiefs into giving you another
hearing? If you have no objection, we
could tell them that you cannot leave
just now, but that you will do SO as
soon as you have tried to benefit them"
"And that Mr.. Vanu be next agent"
added Dupont.
evil you tell them that am here
to help them and to be their friend?"
queried Hardy.
'"Trust me to put 1t to them strong,
captain" assured Vandervyn. II know
you'll play fair by resigning in my ia
vor as soon as you have the tribe in
hand"
"After have done what can do to
improve conditions among Them" quail
flied Hardy.
II do so hope Mr.. Van can persuade
them to be friendly with you," said
Marie. II know he and Charlie will
be perfectly safe. But it will be hard
to talk them out Of their strange dis
like to you. When will you start, Reg
gie?'
"Early tomorrow morning, if the cap
tain has no objections"
1.-THE sooner the BETTER" agreed
Hardy.
I'll go and remove my council cos
tune" said Vandervyn, smiling at his
irreproachable frock coat.
Marie and her father rose with him.
Hardy bowed out the girl and returned
to his desk. He was deep in the midst
of a report on the tribe when, half an
hour later, Vandervyn returned to the
office in his riding toys.
"Charlie may not come back this
afternoon" he remarked. II thought
1 might ride down and tell him about
the trip. I could fetch your mare for
you"
every well. I SHALL be obliged" re-
piled Hardy, and he returned to his
study of the report.
Vandervyn rode down along the far
side Of the stream, keeping the thick
cts as much as possible between HIM
self and the Dupont house. He did
not recross the creek until he, was OPP
posite Redbear's home. He found the
cabin door closed. But at q slight
movement Of the window curtains has
hand vent up to beckon with lordly