Meade County news., 1917-03-29

uc must uuNG SllOl
"Tell them that is all right. The
fellow thought 1 was the enemy of
his tribe. He will soon learn bet
ter. Neither he nor any other will
again attack me-"
"Yes, you have talked ThunderbUlt
into believing you the tribes dear
est friend" ironically replied Marie.
THESE silly fellows trailed you to
the chiefs camp, and have swallowed
whole the account of the wonderful
good things you are going to do for
the tribe. All this gush and fuss was
over that and your big heart"
Regardless Of the mockery in the
girls eyes, Hardy turned to smile and
nod at the policemen in acknowledge
ment Of their kindly feeling.
Dupont muttered curse, and ven
tured an ill-humored remark loud
enough to reach Hardy's ears: "The
whole bunch'd sing different tune
If l told them how he turned down
the chance to give the tribe half
what's in our mine."
"Chuck 1t, JakeT interposed Van
dervyn, with a good-humored smile
that surprised Hardy no less than the
trader. "It's up to US to take our
medicine. We know it will not be to
the best interests of the tribe. The
responsibility, however, is his"
"You amt going to throw down, are
your exclaimed Dupont.
what else can we do?" mildly
asked Vandervyn. "The game is up"
what If the government don't
make 1t no rush, but has the entry
men draw lots" objected Dupont. II
been fool enough to show Cap through
the diggings and tell him what we
got blocked out. If he amt square
enough to keep his head shut, we
won't stand no chance at all of buying
out the entryman what draws first
choice in the lottery"
"You see, captain" said Vandervyn.
"As we discovered and developed the
lode, do you not think the honorable
thing would be to make no mention
of the mine in your reportT
"The tribe should receive a large
payment for their mineral lands" re-
piled Hardy.
"Quite true" agreed Vandervyn, his
voice ringing clear and strong with
sincerity. '"There was talk of pay
ing them fifteen millions. / think 1t
should be fifteen or twenty. We have
found Indications of other lodes. /
am sure you will see that it would be
perfectly honorable to report that
fact, but leave out all mention of our
mine. That would protect us, and do
no harm to the tribe. If you see 1t
that way, will pull all the wires /
can to convince the government that
this part of the reservation is rich in
minerals. My uncle is chairman of
the treaty commission. If his report
favors a payment of fifteen or twenty
millions to the tribe, congress will ap-
propriate that amount"
''If there are indications of other
lodes as rich as this one, fifteen mil,
lions is none too ~4aTgea price" said
EHaTdy, c--'You agree to help obtain
fair compensation to the tribeT'
...sRroyifed you do the fair and hon
orable thing by u.s." replied Wander
vyn..
Hardy considered, and nodded.
'Very well. As between you and the
other entrymen, it seems to me right
to withhold Sour secret. You found
and developed this mine, and it is not
the fault Gf yourself and Dupont that
Nogen kad the work done at the ex-
pense Of the tribe"
'Eere and Mr.. Van will pay them
for all The work." proudly stated Ma
rie.
Dupont gaped in blank amazement
ut this unwelcome prediction. Not so
Vandervyn.
"Of course we shall pay them, cap
tain," he confirmed. II intend to list
the claimants and the amount due
them at the council tomorrow. Nei-
ther Jake nor can afford to settle
with them out of hand. But Jake
will allow them part payment in trade
goods, and we shall make other pay
ments as fast as we get returns from
our next ore shipments"
"Very good" agreed Hardy. "You
are to understand, however, that the
tribe must voluntarily bring the ore
to the reservation boundary and there
sell it to you. Have you considered
the risk of the public surmising the
existence of the mine from the ore
shlpments?"
mo chance of that" explained Du-
pont. "Nogen let it out that he got
the ore from prospect in the noun
tains clean back across the other
boundary Of the reservation, and he
showed around a smeIter report of
shipment of ore that we'd doctored
with barren rock SOS it just paid out
expenses"
Hardy did not smile. He returned
grayely to Marie. "In view Of the
general agreement, Miss Dupont, may
l hope that you"
''You may not, Captain Hardy" she
ungraciously interrupted "You In
suited my father. He and ! shall at