The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-09-27
CHAPTER VI.
T~hunderboIt.

HbVOcTpotI
but Dupont was not at home. When
they failed TO find him either In the
store or the living rooms. Marie
stepped 10 the door for another look
nj the Indians, and then calmly went In
10 prepare 4 noon dinner.
vandervyn ~sauntered over TO the Of.
fee. Tn the way back he observed Red
bear, out hack " the warehouse, drift
ine unobtrusively from one group Of
Indians 10 another. Hardy was at his
desk In the Office. intent on the gov
nrnen 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. His face was as stolid as the
faces OF the chiefs and headmen
among whom he had passed.
well, Jake, what's the good word7'
inquired Vandervyn.
The trader gloomily shook his head.
"Ain't none, Mr.. vnn. No women, no
children, no old men-just bucks. No
trading / 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 trouble7 7"
asked Hardy.
"Well, 1t kind Of looks that way" an.
swered Dupont.
Explain" ordered Hardy.
"You remember I told you there was
a lot Of bad blood stirred up. II oil
turns on whether ~Thunderbolt feels the
same That's old Ti-owa-konza, the
head chief. II he's feeling bad, we'd
better look out"
II am confident there will be no
trouble" said Hardy. ave have only
to find out the cause OF the Ill feeling
and remove It."
"If 1t can be removed" qualified
Vandervyn.
Better figure on letting the ware
house go and piling into my place. Cap.
II they start to ki-yi." suggested Du.
pont. "T1l show you how I got It all
loopholcd. Water inside and a lot OF
grub and ammunitlon-we can hold II
nsin the whole tribe, II the Piece
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 Mt the house
porch. Marie appeared In the door.
way. nglow with animation.
Good day, Captain Hardy. I fear
we had breakfast too early for you
Pere, you look sober ns an awl. You
can't be afraid OF an outbreak. What
II they do turn loose? I have every.
thing ready-all the l~oOphOles 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 ut the slots cut
through the wallpaper to expose the
loopholes, from which the chinks had
been removed.
Miss Dupont" he said, "you are q
very brave young lady"
"Yes, 1t 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',
mind n day or two of fighting, What
fun 1t must have been In the old days =
! "Funf" exclaimed vandervyn.
IL have no doubt w could defend
the house." remarked Hardy. wv,
: could hold out until the arrival OF
troops. But there will be no uprising
, no trouble"
/ "Oh, captain !" protested Marie.
I They passed on into the dining room
, where the silent Indian boy ut one,
served dinner. II was n plain famil,
meal. But the china and plated war,
: were artistic, the table linen was clean
: ana the food very well cooked.
Dupont was still go|rmandizing whcr
Rcdbear came with the news tina
Ti-own-konza had at last reached IN,
r agency. The hnlfbreed looked so wor
rled that Nanderyyn rose from tn,
Z table MS quickly MS Hardy. Dupont
paused with II slice of pumpkin pi,
: upraised In his hand.
whats the rumpus, ChRrlie2" h,
asked. sold Thundcrbolt amt gon,
on the warpath. has her"
I mo, he looks quiet now. But on,
] OF the headmen told mo he said h,
would wipe out the agency II the new
= agent didn't do what he wanted"
3 Dupont muttered one Of the two