The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-12-08

"All did was to knock up the dust
in front of them. The way they came
back at me proves they really were
scheming to get u.s."
"Much you know about it." scoffed
the girl. "Just because some Of the
tribe are feeling ugly is no sign that"
"How about the murder of Nogen|
swell, how? You and Charlie both
say there was only the one buck who
did the shooting. No; If this bunch
had been planning to get US, they'd
have been out Of sight under the edge
Of the bank or over on the butte when
we first came along"
"Have it your own way-only toss
me bottle of beer, that's good girl.
I'm dry as fish,"
Recklessly he sat up and looked at
her, his small mouth curving in smile
under the neat mustache. A bullet
whizzed close over his head. "There I
They've spotted your position. Come
away" Her voice quavered with con-
| Germ for him.
The girl did not wait for him to reach
her. Satisfied as to his safety, she
went up the gulley to the blackboard
and drew q canteen from the box under
the seat. Her father glanced down
and saw what she was doing. His face
was powdered with dust. He spat and
beckoned to her.
"Good! Bring 1t up. Bullet hit the
edge Of the bank"
The girl climbed nimbly up the gull
ley side with the canteen. Her father
spat again, took deep drink, and said !:
Better git the ponies round behind the
blackboard. Unless Charlie gifts back
soon, we may have to leave the ore and
make break for the agency"
"An right, PEREZ" cheerfully respond
ed the girl. "There haven't any Of
them been hit so far, guess. They
may be willing to let us off with big
scare"
"Pll give them scare and something
more when the police come" declared
the young man, who had taken a new
position in the opening of the gulley.
mo, you won't" demonstrated the
girl as she started down to him with
the canteen. "When old T-owa-konza
sent in word that he'd call 1t quits over
the shooting of Nogen's killer, he meant
it. But this time you fired the first
shot, and If you kill one of them, it will
mean blood feud, if not an uprising"
The young man snapped his fingers.
81 don't give that much for the whole
pack Of coyotesl"
Don't forget the mine, Mr.. Van,"
protested the older man.
''Yes, and how about me?" asked the
girl as she held out the canteen.
'That settles It," he replied. ITO
please you, Tll-what do you say?-
I'll call 1t quits" Shaking a gush Of
water out over the spout, he lifted the
canteen in gallant salute and carried 1t
| to his lips.
Better hurry with them ponies, Ma
rie," called her father.
She did not wait for the canteen, but
walked swiftly up the gulley to the
| FESTIVE ponies. AS she led the two
saddle horses around to the rear Of
the blackboard, the young man called
up to her: shorten my stirrups. That
pinto Is the best runner in the bunch"
"Can you make it bareback" she
| asked.
"He can hold on to the harness"
said her father. "Tie the tugs so they
won't drag"
"Yes, guess can hold on. I'll try
the calico mare"
"Any sign on the butter" she in
quired, her supple gloved fingers deity
freeing the harnessed ponies from the
blackboard.
Nothing yet" answered the young
man. "Tm expecting a bullet soon"
'This amt no joke, Mr.. van," COM
planned the other man. He glowered at
the butte. Suddenly his trained eyes
caught sight of an object moving up
the steep slope of crag. He clapped
/ his rifle to his shoulder. sighted If