Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-12-12

dupont drew out his pipe and re-
turned to his seat on the mine-dump,
to brood on his wrongs in morose 81
lence. Hardy thoughtfully walked
back to the cabin, drew out a writing
pad from one of his saddlebags and
began to draft a semiofficial letter to
the most influential of his few ac-
quaintances in Washington.
He soon became SO intent that he
did not notice the half-dozen figures
in dark blue uniform that came swing
ing down the precipitous mountain
side above the terrace. When at last
he finished the letter and looked up,
he saw all the members of the police
escort drawn up in line before him,
their swarthy faces alight with re-
spectful friendliness. Their sergeant
uttered a cultural word of salutation,
and began making signs.
Hardy smiled, shook his head, and
looked around for an interpreter Du-
pont still sat sulking on the mine
dump, but Marie and Vandervyn
were coming back up the mountain
side. They appeared only few
yards away, as Hardy glanced about.
His lips drew tense when he per-
ceived the girls happy bushes and
The look with which Vandervyn was
regarding her half-averted face.
AT sight of Hardy she Strengthened
with proud disdain. and would have
Immediately gone around into the
cabin had be not spoken.
Pardon me, Miss Dupont. These
men wish to report to me. May 1 ask
you to interpret for them?"
The girl turned coldly to the SER
geant, who at once poured out an i'm
passioned defamation, emphasized
with swift-formed signs. He was still
talking, when Dupont sullenly sham
bled over from the mine-dump. His
disconnected face darkened still more
when he came within hearing of the
speakers.
At last the sergeant finished his i'm
promptu grafton. Without looking at
Hardy, Marie gave the substance of
the speech with contemptuous curt
ness:
''He says they think you were very
brave to follow the shooter into the
broken mountain. They are very
sorry that they could not again find
the trail of the bad Indian after los
ing 1t on the bare rocks from which
he must have shot Charlie"
''Tell them that is all right. The
fellow thought / was the enemy of
his tribe. He will soon learn bet
ter. Neither he nor any other will
again attack me-"
Yes, you have talked Thunderbolt
into believing you the tribes dear
est friend" ironically replied Marie.
These silly fellows trailed you to
the chiefs camp, and have swallowed
whole the account of the wonderful
good things you are going to do for
the tribe. All this gush and fuss was
over that and your big heart"
Regardless of the mockery in the
girls eyes, Hardy turned to smile and
nod at the policemen in acknowledge
ment of their kindly feeling.
Dupont muttered q curse, and ven-
tured an ill-humored remark loud
enough to reach Hardy's ears: "The
whole bunch'd sing a different tuEe
if 1 told them how he turned down
the chance to give the tribe half
what's in our NINE"
''Chuck 1t, Jake!" interposed Van
dervyn, with good-humored smile
that surprised Hardy no less than the
trader. Its up to us to take our
medicine. We know it will not be to
the best interests of the tribe. The
responsibility. however. is his
"You amt going to throw down, are
your" exclaimed Dupont.
what else can we do?" mildly
asked Vandervyn. 1.-The game is up"
What if the government don't
make it no rush, but has the entry
men draw lots?" objected Dupont. 81
been fool enough TO show Cap through
the diggings and tell him what we
got blocked out. If he amt square
enough to keep his head shut, we
won't stand no chance at all of buying
ont the entryman what draws first
choice in thelottery."
"You see, captain" said Vandervyn.
"As we discovered and developed the
lode, do you not think the honorable
thing would be to make no mention
of the mine in your report?"
1.-The tribe should receive a large
payment for their mineral lands" re-
piled Hardy.
AQuite true" agreed yandervyn, his
voice ringing clear and strong with
sincerity. There was talk of pay
ing them fifteen millions. l think it
should be fifteen or twenty. We have
found indications of other lodes. /
am sure you will see that it would be
perfectly honorable to report that
fact, but leave out all mention of our
mine. That would protect US, and do
no harm to the tribe. If you see it
that way, will pull all the wires 1
can 10 convince the government that
this part of the reservation is rich in
minerals. My uncle is chairman of
the treaty commission. If his report
favors payment of fifteen or twenty
TO the tribe, congress will APP
that amolrt."
IF there are Indications of other
lodes as rich as this one. fifteen mil
lions is none too large a price" said
Hardy. You agree TO help obtsin
fair compensation TO the tribe?"
Provided you do the fair and non
orable thing by us" replied Wander
vyn.
Hardy considered. and nodded.
'yery well. As between you and the
other entrymen. it seems TO me right
TO withhold your secret. You founa
and developed this mine. and it is not
the fault of yourself and Dupont that
Nogen had the work done at the ex-
pense of the tribe"
"Pere and Mr.. Van will pay them
for all the work" proudly stated Ma
rie.