The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-02-01


she served her grandfather and the
guest, Hardy suggested that she 90
with him to the mine, where they prob
ably would find Marie and the rest of
the party. Reluctant cs was Tl-owa-
kOnza to part with his half-white
granddaughter, he ordered her pony
brought in and saddled. When she ex-
planned to Hardy that the mine was
only q mile away across the mountain,
he declined the offer of a saddleless
mount, took c%eremOnl0us leave of the
old chief and set out up the mountain
side with the girl and a young Indian
guide.
Hardy noted the bearings and dis
tances Of all prominent points around
him with the eye Of one well trained In
the art of topography. A quarter
hour brought the little party to the
top of the low mountain. Before them
the far side Of the mountain pitched
down q steep and rocky incline into n
narrow valley. The silent Indian guide
pointed TO n terrace midway down the
descent. From amidst the pines was
rising Il cloud of blue-blaCk smoke.
Soon Oinna pointed out n cabin
among the pines. They were within
fifty yards Of It when Vandcrvyr and
Dupont came out of u hole In the cliff
end OF n spur-ridge near the cabin, and
stood staring ut the newcomers In un'
disguised establishment. Hardy
swerved and FASTENED toward them,
his eyes bright and cold. The two
men glanced at one another and nd
vanced to meet him halfway.
Dupont was the first to speak: by
Gar, Cap, we sure are mighty glad to
see you agin all safe and sound
Thought you'd gone and lost yourself
on that cusscd mountain. The p'lcece
are back there now, looking for you"
"And you two are here, | see" dry
ly rejOlned Hardy.
II beg your pardon, Captain Hardy"
replied Vanderyyn, his eyes flashing
with quick anger. you told me TO go
ahead and guard Marie"
81 added for you to send the police
around to flank the assassin"
Vandervyn drew himself up stifiy.
"You have my word, sir, that heard
nothing of that"
an common decency, you might
have returned to see what had become
Of me-" returned Hardy.
Dupont FASTENED to i%nterpose: "Mr.
Van got the idea you meant us to rush
Marie through here to the mine. where
she'd be safe. So we lit out fast as
we could. The pleece found your
mare, but lost your trail up In the
rocks. First thing this morning we
sent the whole bunch back to trail
YOU"
The honest bluffness of Dupont's
tone and his straightforward statement
compelled belief. Hardy nodded.
every well. l could not expect that
either of you would trouble to go back
for me-"
Just the same, we would've, Cap,
you can bet your life on lt-only on ac-
count of Marie and" The trader
turned a dubious glance on Olnna,
and remarked: 81 see you stumbled
onto old ThunderbOlt's camp"
II did" said Hardy, and he smiled.
Thanks to Miss Olnna, | was able to
make myself better understood than
when her brother acted us interpre-
ter. | have reason 20 believe that he
wilfully misstatcd what | said to the
chiefs"
"By Carr swore Dupont. "That old
Thunderbolt Is n deep one just like
him to try to throw you of the track
by laying 1t all on Charlie"
"I'm not so sure Of that, Jake" broke
in Vandervyn. "You remember, Char
lie was scared stiff. He may have be-
come muddled."
"We-ell, mebbe that had part to do
with it. Just the same, you can't tell
me the whole tribe amt sore. Look
Mt the way they've twice tried to git
Cap-and potting Charlie last night
"CharlleT' gasped Oinna. "You say
oh, Mr.. Dupont, he's not-not-"
"No-buck up" b%rusquely replied
yandervyn. "He was only nipped
through the arm. lie will be all right
In q few days"