The Tomahawk., 1916-12-14


gan to swell. But with strong effort
he depressed his anger and forced a
smile. "You went me one better, Hardy.
throw down."
The officer responded with instant
sympathy:
II see NO reason why we should not
become friends and work together for
the good of the tribe"
Its co." agreed Vandervyn, and as
if cleared Of all ill temper by his out
burst, he began lively conversation
on official society in the national capt.
tai.
The party topped the rise between
the river and Sioux creek, and rode
down the winding road that skirted it's
willow-fringed bank to the crossing Of
the stream. AS they rounded the spur
ridge on the far side, Redbear rode up
on Hardy's right, and pointed to a
small cabin among the qualzing asps
in the mile-wide curve of the stream to
the left.
"See my house, SIR" he said.
''Looks we'll built" remarked Hardy,
his fieldglasses at his eyes. "Quite
new, see. You have still to put dirt
on this corner of the roof
"And to put squaw inside" added
Vandervyn.
The halfbreed's jaw muscles
twitched, but he did not look away
from Hardy. II got letter from my
sister Oinna. She says she can't stay
at school. She says she will die if they
make her stay at school. want her
to come and cook for me till get mar
RED"
"How old is She?"
"More than seventeen. She is sick to
come. She says she will die"
every we'll. But you must take good
care of her until she is married."
Eyes, sir. I've got a lot Of money"
replied the halfbreed, with the prone
ness of a weak nature to boast. 1--WE
got almost"
ALMOST enough to buy you two
squaws," cut in Vandervyn.
Redbear started to speak, caught the
others eye, and refined in his pony.
Hardy did not notice this. They had
rounded the toe Of the spur ridge, and
he was gazing up the green valley that
lay outstretched in circle Of hills
larger and far more picturesque than
the Catskills. Sioux creek swirled out
Of a canyon at the far end, to meander
down q winding channel fringed with
bushes and aspens and other small
trees.
On a natural terrace, or "bench," two
miles up, the glasses showed the log
buildings at the agency. Midwsy down
to Redbear's cabin but across the creek
was large post-and-rail corral. Van
dervyn had resumed with zest his talk
about the social gaieties Of which he
had been deprived for half a year.
Hardy said little, but his eye was busy
taking in the natural features of the
beautiful valley.
When they came to the slope of the
bench, or terrace, Vandervyn noticed
the intent look of his companion. and
inquired: "Well, what do you think
of it? Talk about Siberian exile! That
is the Dupont. place over here"
Hardy glanced at the large double
cabin hundred yards off to the right
of the road. The broad front porch
gave it q homelike appearance. The
two cabins before him were very small.
Beyond them stood the big agency
warehouse. It's overhanging upper
story showed that it had been built for
use as q blockhouse, but the many
windows had rendered it less defens-
ible than one Of the cabins. The only
persons in sight were the two Indian
police who had been left in charge by
Redbear.
"Well?" repeated Vandervyn.
"Not an easy place to defend" said
Hardy. "Where is the office and the
guardhOuse?"
"The office is in the near front cor
ner Of the warehouse. The police quar-
tiers are in the other end. You see the
white tepees over there across the
creek? Most Of the relations of the
police camp lear the agency. This
first cabin H. Nogen's-yours, should
say. The second is NINE"
"Your quarters? May ask you for
bite of lunch as soon as have
rubbed down my lnareT
IT board with the Duponts. Dw I can
scare up cold lunch" said Vandervyn.
As they dismounted, Redbear came
ND and successfully curried favor with
the new agent by offering to curry his
mare. He led her away to the ;0w
brush stable hey ond the warehouse
After lunch, though still weary from
his long ride, Hardy put in the rest Of
the day inspecting the agency property
and examining the accounts of the two
clerks. With the exception Of two or
three small items on Redbear's books,
everything checked accurately.
I Vandervyn brought bacon. coffee.
crackers and canned food, and the new
agent cooked supper with the skill Of
an old campaigner. After they had
eaten, the chief clerk produced cigars
in anticipation Of social evening. But
ha% hn c1- 70