The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-02-11
A PARTING of loyara.

AlculS lie IedllLcu LLdL rs luOle
oughly as any one else. But peo-
pie acting under impulse, especially
impulse born Of strong ~provocation,
scarcely stop to consider the wisdom
or folly of the act.
He had rushed into the very jaws
Of death. He had foolishly undertaken
to defy six desperate men who would
never brook any interference with
their plans. Moreover, he had under
taken to defy them at a moment when
their blood was hot and when they
were in a frame Of mind to resent
even so much as the crooking Of a
finger.
What might have happened to him
left alone to the tender mercies OF
these men no M knows, but it is not
difficult to surmise. Had not some TO-
tally unexpected influence interviewed
In his behalf he would doubtless have
looked on the world that evening for
the last time.
For almost a minute after he ap-
peared on the scene the men looked
at him in dumb surprise. They were
astonished at his unexpected appear
ance. but far more astonished at his
hardihood. They saw his livid face
and his form towering in wrath, and
they easily OWNED his purpose.
It was Jake Martin who broke the
| silence. Having recovered from his
surprise to some extent, he said:
"Mr. Stone, what air you a-doin'
yere?"
II heard this poor fellows cries."
Ross replied, and I came to see what
was the matter and to assist him II l
could"
"Waal, what air you lowed to do
now?"
I'm going to give him my protec.
ton"
Old Jake laughed.
"Have you got a notion you kin stand
up ag'in all O. us? he asked.
II don't know" Ross replied. II can
only do what l can"
"And that ill be nothin' except to
make a p'intblank fool Of yo'se'f. Yo'
take my advice an go on home"
"And leave this poor halfwitted crea.
ture for you to kill?"
"Ah, We'll not kill i'm quite, !
reckon"
"You would better kill him than tc
beat him SC %brutally."
"Waal, II we beat i'm it's his owE
fault. If he's too derned mulish to an
swer our questions without 1t, why, We
jist got to maui the answers out o
him. Thar's no other way that I know
Of. So jist 60 on home or stan out o
the way"
II can't do it, MI. Martin"
"T'm not Mr.. Martin"
"Well, whoever you are then"
"You a do it and you must"
II cannot"
"Air you q nachul born fool?"
II may be, but I can't leave poo
Billy to your cruel treatment withou
raising a hand to help him. I shoul'
never forgive myself if l did,"
Old Jake's ire began to rise.
"Mebby," he said, you won't forgiv
yourself. nuther, If yo' fool round yer
an git a bullet hole through you. Stan,
aside, l say"
Ross did not move. Old Jake, trem
bling with anger, reached for his gun
What would have happened the mex
minute. except for a sudden interrup
ton. will never be known.
OF in the woods to the west, a few
yards distant, a gun was fred. In
stantly this was followed by five o
six pistol shots fired in rapid success
sion. After this there was q short 81
lence, then two OF three more shot
and a terrible rustling among tn
bushes. Then a voice, loud and stroni
and full Of excitement, cried:
"Ielp! Help! Here he is! He'll 81
away! Hurrah! There he goes! Her
he is! Whoop!"
This was followed by another volle
Of shots and another great rustling Q
the bushes.
Jake Martin and his friends exchan&
ed a quick glance, and n Of ther
said:
. "That jayhawk"
The next moment they all brok
away and, with drawn pistols, wen