Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-11-24
CHAPTER Ill.
Condolences.

The reScuers from the agency had
refined in their sweating ponies to a
lope when they first caught sight of the
party ON the butte side of the coulee.
They struggled down the gulley at
walk, eight short-haired Indian police
men in blue uniform, and tall, loose
Tipped young halfbreed in ordinary
frontier clothes. AS they stopped in
the stream to water their ponies, each
fHrtively studied the rider who was APP
preaching on the big, rangy mare.
you're too late, Charlie called
yandervyn. Captain Hardy climbed
the butte, and the whole bunch hit
out"
i "Soldiers?" queried the halfbreed.
"No, he's alone-our new agent, ex-
planned Vandervyn as his pony brought
him alongside Hardy at the edge of the
stream. Captain, this is Charlie Red
bear, our issue clerk and Interpreter"
Interpreter? repeated Hardy. "Red-
>bear, do any Of the police understand
English?"
mo, SIR only few words mumbled
the halfbreed.
"Tell them I am captain of the
horse soldiers-the LongkniveS. have
been sent here to be the agent"
Redbear interpreted in musical La
kotah, accompanying his words with
swift signs. The swarthy policemen
grunted approvingly, and their leader
1r
breed interpreted mechanically He
says your eye is straight. He says
they are ready to trail and fight the In
dianS whose hearts are bad"
"They are not to pursue the party"
ordered Hardy, II shall call cOun-
Gil of the chiefs, and ascertain the
cause of the tribal unrest. Tell them."
Redbear hesitated, and looked uncer-
tainly at Van&cryyn. The chief clerk
spoke to him in sharp reproof: DO as
you're told, Charlie. Captain Hardy is
now in command of the reservation"
The halfbreed stared in astonish-
ment, but fastened to interpret. at
once the faces of the policemen be-
came stolid. They cast covert Chances
at Vanderyyn. Without seeming to no.
tice their sudden change Of manner,
Hardy selected four to act as escort to
the Indian trader and his daughter.
The rest of the party followed him
back up the gulley.
From the first the mare walked out
i'm the lead. She would soon have left
behind even Vandervyn's quick-step-
ping pinto had not her rider happened
10 glance about and catch the troubled
expression on the younger mans face.
Hardy waited for him to come along
side, and gravely remarked: Il wish
to express my regret, Mr.. Vandervyn,
that my detail here has deprived you
iof your expected promotion
Vandervyn's small mouth curved
with cynical smile, but softened TO a
more agreeable expression as he met
the others gaze. "Ycu admit it?" he
muttered.
"Having accepted the detail, cannot
now ask to be relieved said Hardy.
l"But the extra pay was not one of the
inducements. Permit me to suggest
that arrangements can be made to di-
vert to your salary the amount in ex-
cess of my regular compensation as an
officer"
] The offer was as unexpected as il
was generous. Vandervyn flushed, bit
his lip, and replied half inaudibly:
''You needn't think just because No
that's not quite You may mean well
but that's no excuse"
my fault sir. Pardon me" apollo
gized Hardy.
Vandervyn looked ahead at the
mountains, considered, and turned to
his companion with what seemed q
cordial smile. II am not used to be-
ing patronized, captain; but as you Ole
rot mean it that way
mot at all"
Vandervyn nodded. "You now I'm
derstand that I'm not one Of the com