The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-01-12

1 she served her grandfather and the
guest, Hardy suggested that she go
with him to the mine, where they prob
ably would find Marie and the rest of
the party. Reluctant as was Ti-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 a mile away across the mountain,
he declined the offer of saddleless
mount, took ceremOnious 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 steep and rocky incline into a
narrow valley. The silent Indian guide
pointed to terrace midway down the
| descent. From amidst the pines was
rising cloud of blue-black smoke.
Soon Oinna pointed out cabin
among the pines. They were within
fifty yards Of 1t when Vandervyn and
Dupont came out of hole in the cliff
end Of spur-ridge near the cabin, and
| stood staring at the newcomers in un-
disguised establishment. Hardy
| swerved and fastened toward them,
his eyes bright and cold. The two
men glanced Mt one another and ad-
vanced to meet him halfway.
| Dupont was the first to speak: "By
Gar, Cap, we sure are mighty glad to
see you ag'in all safe and sound
Thought you'd gone and lost yourself
on that cussed mountain. The p'leece
are back there now, looking for you
| "And you two are here / see," dry
ly rejoined Hardy.
Il beg your pardon, Captain Hardy,
replied Vandervyn, his eyes flashing
with quick anger. "You told me to &c
ahead and guard Marie"
II added for you to send the police
around to flank the assassin"
| Vandervyn drew himself up stif1ly
"You have my word, sir, that 7 heard
nothing Of that"
"In common decency, you might
have returned to see what had become
of me-" returned Hardy.
| Dupont fastened to interpose: "Mr
Van got the idea you N eant us to rush
Marie through here to the mine. where
she'd be safe. So we lit out fast as
we could. The piece found your
mare, but lost your trail up in the
rocks. First thing this morning we
sent the whole bunch back to trai
YOU"
The honest bluffness of Dupont's
tone and his straightforward statement
compelled belief. Hardy nodded
"Very well. 1 could not expect thai
either of you would trouble to go bacl
for me-"
"Just the same, we would've, Cap
you can bet your life on it-only on &c
count Of Marie and" The trader
turned dubious glance on Oinna
and remarked: II see you stumbled
onto old Thunderbolt's camp"
II did," said Hardy, and he smiled
Thanks to Miss Oinna, I was able tt
make myself better understood thar
when her brother acted as interpre
ter. have reason to believe that hi
wilfully misstated what said to the
Chiefs"
"By Carl" swore Dupont. THAT ole
Thunderbolt Is deep one. Just like
him to try to throw you off the tract
by laying 1t all on Charlie"
"Pm 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 d.
with it. Just the same, you can't tel
me the whole tribe amt sore. Loci
at the way they've twice tried to 81
Cap-and potting Charlie last night
"Charlie?" gasped Oinna. "You sa!
-Oh, Mr.. Dupont, he's not-not-"
"No-buck up," brusquely replied
Vandervyn. "He was only nippe(
through the arm. He will be all RICH
in few days."