The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-06

"AlI I did was to knock up the dust
in front of them. The way they came
back at me proves they really were
scheming to get u.s."
Much you know about it," scoffed
the girl. "Just because some of the
tribe are feeling ugly is no sign that
''How about the murder of Nogen?'
say there was only the one buck who
did the shooting. No; if this bunch
had been planning to get US, they'd
have been out of sight under the edge
of the bank or over on the butte when
we first came along"
"Have it your own way-only toss
me bottle of beer, that's good girl.
I'm dry as fish,"
Recklessly he sat up and looked at
under the neat mustache. A bullet
whizzed close over his head. '@There!
They've spotted your position. Come
awayI" Her voice quavered with con-
Germ for him.
The girl did NOT wait for him to reach
her. Satisfied as to his safety, she
went up the gul1ey to the blackboard
and drew q canteen from the box under
the seat. Her father glanced down
and saw what she was doing. His face
was powdered with dust. He spat and
beckoned to her.
"Goodi Bring it up. Bullet hit the
edge of the bank"
The girl climbed nimbly up the gull
ley side with the canteen. Her father
spar again, took deep drink, and said ::
Better git the ponies round behind the
blackboard. Unless Charlie gifts back
soon, we may have to leave the ore and
make q break for the agency"
"AIl right. Pere," cheerfully respond
ed the girl. ''There haven't any of
them been hit so far, I guess. They
scare"
"Tn give them a scare and something
more when the police come" declared
the young man, who had taken a new
position in the opening of the gulley.
mo, you won't" demonstrated the
girl as she started down to him with
the canteen. 'When old Ti-owa-konza
sent in word that he'd call it quits over
the shooting of Nogen's killer, he meant
it. But this time you fired the first
shot, and If you kill one of them, 1t will
mean blood feud, if not an uprising. -
The young man snapped his fingers.
81 don't give that much for the whole
pack OF coyotesT '
"Don't forget the mine, Mr.. Van, "
protested the older man.
Eyes, and how about met" asked the
girl as she held out the canteen-
saThat settles it." he replied. ITO
please you, FH-what do you say?7
I'll call it quits" Shaking a gush of
water out over the spout, he lifted the
canteen in gallant salute and carried it
to his lips.
Better hurry with them ponies, Ma
rie," called her father.
She did not wait for the canteen. but
walked swiftly up the gulley to the
FESTIVE ponies. AS she led the two
saddle horses around to the rear OF
the blackboard. the young man called
ND to her: shorten my stirrups. That
pinto is the best runner in the bunch"
sCan you make it bareback" she
asked.
HE can hold on tie the harness, .
said her father. 'sTie the tugs so they
won't drag"
eyes. I guess I can hold on. III try
the calico mare"
sAny sign on the butter she In
uuired, her supple gloved fingers deity
freeing the harnessed ponies from the
blackboard.
Nothing yet" answered the young
man. sPm expecting bullet soon
'This ain's no joke. Ar. Van," com
planned the other man. He giowered a
the butte. Suddenly his trained eyes
| caught sight Of an object moving NJ
! the steep slope of a crag. He clappet
bis rifle to his shoulder. sighted II