Meade County news., 1917-03-01
CHAPTER vi.
ThunderboIt.

But dupont was NOT at nome. Wnen
they failed to find him either in the
store or the living rooms, Marie
stepped to the door for another look
at the Indians, and then calmly went in
to prepare noon dinner.
Vandervyn sauntered over to the Of
flee. On the way back he observed Red
bear, out back of the warehouse, drift
ing unobtrusively from one group of
Indians to another. Hardy was at his
desk I'll the Office, intent on the gov
ernment treaty with the tribe.
At noon, as the head chief of the
tribe had not yet arrived, Hardy and
Vandervyn started to go for their mid
day meal. AS they rounded Hardy's
cabin, they were overtaken by Dupont,
who came from the direction of the
stable, Ills face was as stolid as the
faces of the chiefs and headmen'
among whom he had passed.
"Well, Jake, what's the good word@
inquired vandervyn.
The trader gloomily shook his head.
"Ain't none, Mr.. Van. No women, no
children, 10 old men--just bucks. No
trading l been over to the p'leece
camp. Ponies all in; tepees down.
They're Citing ready to slip down
creek"
'Do you mean they expect trouble?"
asked Hardy.
swell, it kind of looks that way. an
swered Dupont.
Explain" ordered Hardy.
"You remember 1 told you there was
lot Of bad blood stirred up. 1t all
turns on whether Thunderbolt feels the
same That's old Ti-owa-konza, the
head chief. If he's feeling bad, we'd
better look out"
81 am confident there will be no
trouble" said Hardy. 1--WE have only
to find out the cause of the i'll feeling
and remove It."
"If it can be removed" qualified
Vandervyn.
Better figure on letting the ware
house go and piling into my place, Cap,
if they start to ki-yi," suggested Du-
pont. "Tll show you how l got 1t all
loopholed. Water inside and lot of
grub and ammunition-we can hold it
ag'in the whole tribe, If the p'leece
dOn't'go back on u.s."
'They will not, nor will there be any
outbreak" insisted Hardy. 'Do not
needlessly alarm your daughter"
"Cant scare her." grunted Dupont.
} They were now almost at the house
porch. Marie appeared in the door
way, aglow with animation.
"Good day, Captain Hardy. I fear
we had breakfast too early for you.
Pere, you look sober as an awl. You
can't be afraid of an outbreak. What
If they do turn loose? have every
thing ready-all the loopholes opened
and the meat brought in from the Ice
house. 1t will keep in the cellar"
Hardy followed the others into the
parlor, and looked at the slots cut
through the wallpaper to expose the
loopholes, from which the chinks had
been removed.
"Miss Dupont" he said, "you are a
very brave young lady,"
"Yes, it took courage to cut my wall
paper" she replied.
"And all for nothing, I feel sure"
he declared.
"Well, it's best to be ready, in case"
muttered Dupont.
The girls eyes sparkled. II wouldn't
mind day or two Of fighting. What
fun it must have been in the old days!'
"FunT exclaimed Vandervyn.
II have no doubt we could defend
the house." remarked Hardy. eve
could hold out until the arrival of
troops. But there will be no uprising,
no trouble"
"Oh, captain!" protested Marie.
They passed on into the dining room,
where the silent Indian boy at once
served dinner. 1t was a plain family
meal. But the china and plated ware
were artistic, the table linen was clean,
and the food very well cooked.
Dupont was still gormandizing when
Redbear came with the news that
Ti-owa-konza had at last reached the
agency. The halfbreed looked so wor-
ried that Vandervyn rose from the
table as quickly as Hardy. Dupont
paused with slice Of pumpkin pie
upraised in hix hand.
whats the rumpus, Charlie?" he
asked. "Old Thunderbolt amt gone
on the warpath, has he?"
mo, he looks quiet now. But one
of the headmen told me he said he
would wipe out the agency If the new
agent didn't do what he wanted"
Dupont muttered one ef tho two